A pilot study of halibut larvae (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) reared from start feeding to metamorphosis on diets of wild zooplankton and Artemia

Halibut larvae ready to start feed were placed in two outdoor tanks of 7 m^3. The larvae in one tank were fed wild zooplankton throughout the whole period, and the larvae in the other tank were fed wild zooplankton from day one to day seven and Artemia thereafter. Measurements of growth, gut content and content of fatty acids were made of the larvae. Number and species of phytoplankton and zooplankton, as well as abiotic parameters were measured during the experiment. Larval myotome height and dry weight were significant higher for the group supplied wild zooplankton and Artemia than for the group supplied only wild zooplankton, at day 22 after first feeding. For the larval group supplied only wild zooplankton the myotome height and length, at day 43 (the end of the experiment), were significant higher than the group supplied both wild zooplankton and Artemia. Fatty acids analysis did not show significant differences between the larvae in the two feeding groups. There was not observed differences in larval pigmentation either