Effects of Artemia powder in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstock diet on the egg quality

Rainbow trout is one of the most important cultured species in Iran. Despite the progressively increased production of this species during the last decade, there have been many egg quality problems in the hatcheries yet. Thus, in this research we investigated the effects of adding Artemia powder to broodstock diet on Rainbow trout egg quality. Fishes were fed commercial diet for four months, then experimental diets containing 0% (control), 2.56% (5% replacement), 5.12% (10% replacement), 10.24% (20% replacement), and 15.37% (30% replacement) Artemia powder. Results indicated that the values of absolute and relative fecundity in the treatment 5% were significantly higher than in the rest of treatments and in the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences amongst the treatments and control group in terms of egg number per gram, egg diameter, total protein and total lipid values (p>0.05). The parentage of the eyed eggs and hatching rates in the experimental treatments were significantly higher than the control group. The values of HUFA n-3 in the experimental treatments were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). in conclusion, based on the results, adding 5% Artemia powder to rainbow trout broodstock diet can improve egg quality of this species.