The Influence of Different Rotifer and Artemia Enrichment Diets on Growth, Survival and Pigmentation in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) Larvae

An experiment was carried out on turbot larvae fed three different rotifer enrichment diets: Dry Selco, Protein Selco and ICES low-HUFA (an enrichment emulsion containing low amounts of highly unsaturated fatty acids—HUFA). Seven tanks were set up for each diet. After the rotifer stage, approximately seven days after hatching, the larvae were fed newly-hatched Artemia salina nauplii (AT-1; Brazil strain). From day 10, enriched Great Salt Lake Artemia nauplii were introduced. Each set of seven tanks was further subdivided and the larvae fed Arternia nauplii enriched with one of four enrichment diets: Dry Selco, Protein Selco, ICES low-HUFA or Super Selco. The rotifer enrichments had no significant effect on larval growth and survival. The nutritional value of the Artemia stage (day 13 to 26) was more important for the overall larval survival.