Effects of n-3 PUFA levels in live foods on albinism, growth, survival, and salinity tolerance of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) larvae in large-scale artificial rearing

The effects of feeding enriched rotifers and Artemia nauplii on albinism in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) larvae raised in a large-scale artificial system were investigated. Larvae were first fed an S-type rotifer (Brachionus angularis) enriched with Nannochloropsis oculata for 11-12 days, which raised the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in the rotifer from 5.36% to 17.63% of the total fatty acids. Next, the larvae were fed one of three strains of Artemia enriched with microcapsule (50DE), vitamin A (9000 IU/I), and vitamin D (2000 IU/I) for 35 days, which raised the n-3 PUFA contents in the Artemia to 38.62%, 36.53%, and 33.86% of the total fatty acids, respectively. Among the larvae fed the enriched feeds, no more than 3‰ were albino, much fewer than in the control groups fed non-enriched foods (p<0.01). In addition, n-3 PUFA contents in the muscles, growth and survival rates, and salinity tolerance were greater in founder fed the enriched foods. Artemia nauplii from Qixiangcuo (Tibet, China), enriched to 38.62% of total fatty acids, was superior in preventing albinism than the strains from Pikou or Yingkou (Liaoning, China).