Effect of EPA/DHA ratio on burst swimming speed of Sparus aurata larvae

Abstract

Developmental changes of swimming speed were analysed in seabream (Sparus aurata) raised on distinct dietary EPA/DHA regimens (0/0; 0.3/1; 1/1; 1/3; 3/1.4; 3/3; 3/6; 6/3). Fish from the 0.3/1 group grew faster than the others groups, and burst swimming speed was faster for the 6/3 group even when match sized comparisons were made. Fish in the 6/3 group attained a standard length (SL) of 6.51 mm by day 32 and their burst swimming speed was 91.38 SL/s, whereas the 3/6 group attained 6.27 mm SL by day 32 and their burst swimming speeds was 37.19 SL/s. The results suggest that the swimming speed of seabream would develop differently depending of amount of fatty acids resources on the diets.