Comparison of a reference strain and four geographical strains of Artemia as food for winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus) larvae

Abstract

A reference strain and four commercially available geographical strains of Artemia nauplii were each tested as a diet for winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus) larvae. The Reference strain was provided by the Artemia Reference Center, Ghent, Belgium. The geographical strains evaluated were from Chaplin Lake, Canada; Tientsin, China; Lavalduc, France; and San Pablo Bay, U.S.A. There was no significant difference in survival between the fish fed the Reference (86%), Canadian (78%), and Chinese (72%) strains, and none between those fed Canadian, Chinese and French (61%) (SNK multiple range test). The French strain provided significantly lower survival than the Reference strain, and the San Pablo Bay (15%) strain supported significantly lower survival than all the others. Growth in dry weight was highest in fish fed the San Pablo Bay strain (775 μg), though not significantly different from those fed the French (733 μg), Reference (673 μg), and Chinese (666 μg) strains. The Canadian strain supported significantly lower growth (423 μg). These results are compared with those of a previous study which evaluated the nutritional quality of four additional Artemia strains (Shark Bay, Australia; Margherita di Savoia, Italy; Macau, Brazil; Great Salt Lake, UT, U.S.A.). Of all the strains tested, the Reference, Australian, and Brazilian strains are considered the most suitable for feeding winter flounder larvae. It is recommended that the Reference strain be used as a standard diet in future research done with winter flounder larvae.