Nutritional needs for correct pigmentation in European Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus)

Abstract

This article discusses the function, tissue distribution, absorption and deposition of carotenoids in fish. The results of a study on the effect of carotenoid (astaxanthin) supplementation on the skin colouration of red porgy, effect of feeding period on colouration and storage time on pigmentation are also presented. The study showed that supplementing Pagrus pagrus diets with 40 mg/kg esterified astaxanthin from shrimp shell meal for a period of 120 days was enough to acquire skin colouration similar to wild red porgy.