Weaning strategies affect larval performance in yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus)

A 30-day study was carried out to determine the influence of different weaning strategies (WS) on growth and survival rates, stress resistance, digestive enzyme activities whole body fatty acid profiles in yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) larvae. Thus, eight WS were designed by combining live foods (LF) (rotifers Artemia) a microdiet (MD) (Gemma Micro™, Skretting). In control group (100 LF), larvae fed only LF (100%), including enriched rotifers (from 2 20 days post hatching, dph) Artemia (nauplii + metanauplii, from 18 30 dph). The other treatments based proportions with MD: 75LF-25MD, 50LF-50MD, 25LF-75MD 100 MD which 25, 50, 75 100% that applied replaced fixed ration MD, respectively. addition, for determining appropriate time weaning, three including: sudden (SW): weaned rotifer 5 hatch (dph); early (EW): 14 dah late (LW): nauplii 12 Larvae hand-fed hourly 08:00 h 18:00 (11 times day). Results showed lowest rates found among 100MD (1.5%) SW (1.9%) groups, whereas highest 100LF (31.0 ± 1.7%), 75LF-25MD (34.7 4.5%) 50LF-50MD (36.2 4.0%). resistance against air exposure (70.0%) osmotic (100.0%) challenges. At end trial, 100LF, LW groups higher performance than groups. dph, had level alkaline phosphatase leucine-alanine peptidase ratio, while those 100MD, EW ones. profile reflected diet. particular, generally lower levels n-3 long chain polyunsaturated acids compared treatments. conclusion, results present indicated proportion remarkably affect terms growth, survival, function tolerance. replacement up 50% after mouth opening neither have detrimental effects enzymes activities, meanwhile enhanced A. latus