Evaluation of the nutritional value of Artemia nauplii for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) larvae.

Adapted European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) larvae at 25 days post-hatching (dph) with a primary weight and length of 23 mg and 9.92 mm, start the weaning up to 46 dph using the weaning micro-diet (54% crude protein from fish meal, powder milk, and poultry egg) concurrently with Artemia enriched with fortification emulsions (0.6 g/L) of DHA selco® as a control group (DHAS) or Fish oil + 20% Vitamin C (FOVC), or Fish oil + 20% Vitamin E (FOVE), or Fish oil + 10% Vit. C +10% Vit. E (FOCE), or Fish oil only (FO). At 46 dph, groups of larvae fed enriched Artemia with DHAS and FOVE exhibited the highest final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio, and survival% as well as the lowest feed conversion ratio. Meanwhile, larvae in FOVC displayed the lowest final body weight, total length, weight gain, average daily gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio, and survival% as well as the highest feed conversion ratio. Gastrointestinal histological assessment exhibited no pathological alteration as well as an improvement in the structure with DHAS, FOVE, FOVC, and FOCE co-additives compared to FO. Glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPx) recorded the highest rates (P < 0.05) in groups fed Artemia supplemented with DHAS and FOVE followed by FOCE and FOVC. While the lowest record for GPx activity was noted in the FO group. In conclusion, Using augmented Artemia nauplii with fish oil + vitamin E in single or in companion with vitamin C as cheap antioxidants support D. labrax larval growth, survival, and antioxidant efficacy during the critical weaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]