The use of preserved copepods in sea bream small-scale culture: biometric, biochemical and molecular implications

Abstract

Considering the well‐known problems arising from the use of rotifers and Artemia as live prey in larval rearing in terms of fatty acid deficiencies, the aim of this study was to evaluate a partial or complete replacement of traditional live prey with preserved copepods during the larviculture of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Sea bream larvae were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups in triplicates: group A larvae (control) fed rotifers followed by Artemia nauplii; group B fed a combined diet (50%) of rotifers–Artemia and preserved copepods; group C fed rotifers followed by preserved copepods; and group D fed preserved copepods solely. Survival and biometric data were analysed together with major molecular biomarkers involved in growth, lipid metabolism and appetite. Moreover, fatty acid content of prey and larvae was also analysed. At the end of 40 days treatment, a stress test, on the remaining larvae, was performed to evaluate the effects of different diets on stress response. Data obtained evidenced a positive effect of cofeeding preserved copepods during sea bream larviculture. Higher survival and growth were achieved in group B (fed combined diet) larvae respect to control. In addition, preserved copepods cofeeding was able to positively modulate genes involved in fish growth, lipid metabolism, stress response and appetite regulation.

Effects of Graded Dietary Inclusion Level of Full-Fat Hermetia illucens Prepupae Meal in Practical Diets for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

“…Consequently, gene expression can be used to generate useful insights linking biotic and abiotic conditions to individual performances. Molecular markers can be identified among those genes whose expression could reasonably be modified by different conditions, including nutrition [57,58] and, among these, several studies showed that igfs and mstn are useful growth biomarkers. Nutritional deficiencies have deep impact on fish growth and welfare and circulating IGFs levels are known to be nutritionally regulated [33,35,59,60].…”

The interaction between suction feeding performance and prey escape response determines feeding success in larval fish

“…It is well established that the ability to capture copepods confers an energetic advantage compared with feeding on other prey types, and that a copepod-based diet increases larval fish survival (Beaugrand et al, 2003;Olivotto et al, 2008;Piccinetti et al, 2014). Stomach content analyses of larval fishes generally reveal a preference for copepods over other prey types, and this preference increases with larval age (Pepin and Penney, 1997;Sabatés and Saiz, 2000;Fulford et al, 2006;Jackson and Lenz, 2016).…”

Assessment of Hydrobiological and Soil Characteristics of Non-Fertilized, Earthen Fish Ponds in Sindh (Pakistan), Supplied with Seawater from Tidal Creeks

“…In the case of the Acanthopagrus spp. sparids, it has been specifically shown that juveniles feed mainly on this subclass of zooplankton, as studied on the black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri [108], blackhead seabream Acanthopagrus schlegeli [109], and also on the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata [110,111]. In other words, copepods are nutritionally sufficient natural prey for culturing marine fish species [111].…”