Live diet for first feeding of Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis (STEINDACHNER, 1879), larvae in captivity

• Published in: Aquaculture research Vol. 52; no. 11; pp. 5558 - 5565
• Main Authors: Sterzelecki, Fabio Carneiro, Sugai, Juliet Kiyoko, Mattos, Jacó Joaquim, Derner, Roberto Bianchini, Pedrotti, Fabíola Santiago, Magnotti, Caio França, Lopes, Rafael Garcia, Cerqueira, Vinicius Ronzani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Hindawi Limited 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Algae; Alkaline protease; Aquaculture; Aquatic microorganisms; Captivity; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Diet; digestive enzymes; DNA; Emulsions; Enzymatic activity; Enzyme activity; Feeding; fish larvae; Fishing; Growth; Ingestion; Larvae; Lipase; live feed; Marine fishes; Marine invertebrates; Phytoplankton; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA:DNA ratio; rotifer; Sardines; Survival; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 1355-557X; 1365-2109
• DOI: 10.1111/are.15431

Previous studies indicate that Brazilian sardine can be produced in captivity as an alternative to fishing their overexploited stock. However, no research has been conducted about how to improve efficiency in larviculture, a bottleneck phase in aquaculture. Therefore, the aim of this study was to define the optimal live diet in the first feeding of Brazilian sardine larvae, testing five diets of (a) microalgae, (b) rotifer, (c) microalgae plus rotifer, (d) microalgae plus enriched rotifer and (e) microalgae plus wild zooplankton. After eight days, the larvae were sampled to verify survival, growth, digestive enzyme activities (lipase and alkaline protease) and RNA:DNA ratio. Separately, microalgae and rotifer were not enough to support the larvae, resulting in low survival (0% and 3.2 ± 2.9% respectively). However, when offered together they promoted higher survival (up to 40 ± 7.3%). Diets of rotifer enriched with oil emulsion or not produced similar growth (9.23 ± 0.16 mm and 9.13 ± 0.13 mm length respectively). The ingestion of microalgae plus zooplankton significantly increased larvae growth (10.26 ± 0.25 mm length and 2.49 ± 0.20 mg weight), lipase activity and RNA:DNA ratio after eight days. Therefore, the first feeding of Brazilian sardine larvae has better results when microalgae and zooplankton are offered together.