First feeding of Eugerres brasilianus (Carapeva) larvae with Acartia tonsa (Copepod) nauplii increases survival and resistance to acute stress

Abstract

The rotifer Brachionus sp. is commonly used for larval feeding in marine fish hatcheries. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the inclusion of Acartia tonsa nauplii in the initial diet of carapeva larvae improves their survival, growth and resistance to stress when compared to the regimen containing only rotifers. Adult copepods were collected in the wild and cultured with the microalgae Chaetoceros muelleri, Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis oculata to obtain nauplii. Carapeva larvae were grown for 15 days using four treatments and three replicates: 1) Brachionus plicatilis rotifers (10 to 15/mL); 2) A. tonsa nauplii (0.25 to 0.5/mL); 3) Brachionus plicatilis rotifers (5 to 7.5/mL) + A. tonsa nauplii (0.12 to 0.25/mL), and 4) no supply of live feed. After 15 days, the carapeva larvae were subjected to stress by exposure to air for 10 seconds and then returned to the source tank to evaluate survival after 24 h. Survival and stress resistance were higher in carapeva larvae fed B. plicatilis + A. tonsa nauplii (P<0.05), 20.9 ± 11.2% and 88.9%, respectively. These results confirm the positive effect of the inclusion of copepod nauplii in the diet of fish larvae. However, more research is needed to validate these results.

Keywords

• alimento vivo
• larvicultura
• peixe marinho
• resistência ao estresse.