Copepods as live feed nutritional value, microbiology and preservation techniques

9 Copepods as live feed nutritional value, microbiology and preservation techniques 

The developing fish larvae have low protein digestibility, but high assimilation capacity for free amino acids (FAA), which were twice as abundant in copepods as compared to enriched Artemia nauphi (van der Meeren 

Astaxanthin Canthaxanthin Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin C Vitamin Etot 

Astaxanthin levels are generally high in copepods, very low in rotifers and not found in Anemia nauplii (Fig. 5.5). In Artemia, canthaxanthin is found in high amounts instead (van der Meeren et al, 2008). Both these carotenoids may serve as precursors for vitamin A in fish. According to Bell et al (2000), astaxanthin together with vitamin E work synergistically to suppress lipid peroxidation and are thus important in fish with high PUFA 

Copepods may be provided during a sensitive period (Atlantic halibut N 6SS and Lie, 1998) or as a supplement to the traditional feed - (e.g. turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) Stpttrup and Norsker, 1997 Dover sole (Solea solea) Heath and Moore, 1997). In these systems, Artemia nauplii seem to meet energy requirements, while the copepods supplement the diet with essential nutrients for improved growth, survival or higher proportion of normally developed fry. Preserved copepods were also shown to be beneficial as a supplement to traditional live prey for an ornamental fish Amphip-rion clarkia using frozen preserved copepods harvested from the wild (Olivotto et al, 2010). 

---