Effects of different dietary phospholipids levels on development of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of different levels of dietary phospholipids (PL) on the development of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae. Larvae were fed from 17 to 31 day post hatching (dph) five formulated microdiets with different levels of Krill phospholipids (PL)(0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 PL%). Highest growth, survival and resistance to stress was found in larvae fed 6% dietary PL although without significant difference with larvae fed 4% PL,(8.68±0, 24 8.43±0.34 mm in TL and 47.92±1.54 47.71±4.34% survival rate, for 6 and 4% PL respectively). Biochemical composition of larvae (31 dph) fed 4 and 6% dietary PL demonstrated significantly higher (P0. 05) total lipid content, and total n-3HUFA, EPA and n3/n6 both in neutral and polar lipids than larvae fed 0 and 1% dietary PL. The results of this study suggest a requirement of about 4-6% PL in diets for early weaning of gilthead sea bream larvae.