Digestive enzymatic activity in common octopus paralarvae, "octopus vulgaris" (Cuvier, 1797)

Abstract

Commercial culture of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) has not yet been achieved, due to the high mortality rate in the paralarvae (first stage of growth). This can be due to an inadequate diet, stress, light, etc. The goal of the present study is to understand the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients to recognize the most effective nutrients that increase the rate of survival, growth and digestive enzymatic activity. With this aim, time course of digestive enzymatic activity during the first 13 days of life was analysed. We also studied the effect of a supplement of Vitamin C and a diet based on crustacean Zoea. The results showed changes in enzymatic activities along paralarvae development and higher levels of proteases in paralarvae fed to Zoea compared to Artemia.