Preserved copepods as a new technology for the marine ornamental fish aquaculture: A feeding study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of preserved copepod as prey in Amphiprion clarkii larviculture. After hatching, A. clarkii larvae were divided in three experimental groups for feeding studies as follows: group A (control group) fed rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) followed by Artemia nauplii; group B fed a mixed diet of rotifers-Artemia salina nauplii and preserved copepods and group C fed preserved copepods solely. In this study we observed a positive effect of feeding preserved copepods in A. clarkii larviculture as a supplement food to the traditional diet based on rotifers and Artemia nauplii. In group B larvae, fed a combination of rotifers/Artemia and copepods, a significant increase of insulin like growth factor I and II, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α−β and thyroid receptor α and β gene expression together with a significant decrease of myostatin gene expression was evidenced by real time PCR compared to the other experimental groups. In this same group we also observed the best results in terms of growth (total length and weight) and survival. These preserved copepods may be considered a suitable food for marine fish larvae larviculture when used as a supplement to the traditional diet based on rotifers and Artemia nauplii.