The use of harpacticoid copepods as live prey for Amphiprion clarkii larviculture: Effects on larval survival and growth

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe spp as prey in Amphiprion clarkii larviculture. After hatching, A. clarkii larvae were divided in four 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 and Tisbe spp nauplii followed by a combination of A. nauplii and Tisbe spp copepodites/copepods; group C fed copepod nauplii solely followed by Tisbe spp copepodites and copepods; group D fed rotifers followed by Tisbe spp copepodites and copepods. In this study we observed a positive effect of feeding Tisbe spp copepods in A. clarkii larviculture as a supplement live food to the traditional diet based on rotifers and A. nauplii. In group B larvae, fed a combination of rotifers/Tisbe spp nauplii followed by a combination of A. nauplii/Tisbe spp copepodites-adults, a significant increase of IGF II and IGF I gene expression and 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.In conclusion, the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe spp may be considered a suitable live prey for marine fish larvae larviculture when used as a supplement to the traditional diet based on rotifers and A. nauplii.