Exploring first-feeding diets for European eel larval culture: Insights at morphological, nutritional, and molecular levels.

ABSTRACT: Closing the life cycle of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in captivity is targeted to provide a sustainable, year-round supply of juveniles for aquaculture. Present focus is on the nutritional requirements during the larval first-feeding period. In this study, three experimental diets were tested on hatchery-produced European eel larvae from the onset of the first-feeding stage commencing 10 days post hatch (dph) until 28 dph. Larval mortality was recorded daily, while sampling was conducted at regular intervals to record larval biometrics and analyze the expression of genes related to digestion, appetite, feed intake and growth. Two periods of high mortality were identified: the first appeared shortly after introduction of feeds (10-12 dph), while the second occurred 20-24 dph, indicatin

SUBMITTER: Benini E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10138473 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature