Comparison of growth, behavior and lipid concentrations of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma larvae fed lipid-enriched, lipid-deficient and field-collected prey

Abstract

While growth and survival of marine fish larvae In the sea may be dependent on prey type, size and concentration, nutr~t~onal quality of prey may also play an important role. This study investigates the relationships of lipld content of prey with growth, gas bladder size, sinking rate, behavior and survival for larval walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Larvae fed lipid-deficient brine shrimp Artemia spp. nauplii had reduced growth, gas bladder size and survival. These larvae also had to swim almost continuously to maintain vertical position in the water column. In contrast, larvae fed wild-caught copepods or Artemia spp. enriched with lipid showed alternating swimming and resting bouts. The potential for vagaries in meteorological and oceanographic conditions to cause larval fish prey to be nutrient deficient is discussed.

Bioconversion of fatty acids at the basis of marine food webs: insights from a compound-specific stable isotope analysis

“…This ability exhibited by harpacticoids contrasts to that of calanoids, whose DHA content fluctuates dramatically in short periods of time as a result of phytoplankton composition (Davis & Olla 1992). Conversely, harpacticoid copepods, which typically inhabit detritus-rich environments where food is deficient in essential FA, do possess the ability to actively synthesize these compounds in significant quantities (Nanton & Castell 1998).…”

“…ARA could have been obtained from ω6 SC-FA, possibly from 18:2ω6, which was present in small amounts in the bacteria. The ability of cyclopoid and harpacticoid copepods to bioconvert FA and survive on poor diets has been suggested by several studies (Norsker & Støttrup 1994, Nanton & Castell 1998, Watanabe et al 1978.This ability exhibited by harpacticoids contrasts to that of calanoids, whose DHA content fluctuates dramatically in short periods of time as a result of phytoplankton composition (Davis & Olla 1992). Conversely, harpacticoid copepods, which typically inhabit detritus-rich environments where food is deficient in essential FA, do possess the ability to actively synthesize these compounds in significant quantities (Nanton & Castell 1998).…”

Behavioral Ontogeny of Marine Pelagic Fishes with the Implications for the Sustainable Management of Fisheries Resources

“…However, this may not always be true. Davis and Olla (1992) demonstrated that the DHA content of wild copepods (Acartia) fluctuated dramatically within as short a period as 12 days in the same openocean area, suggesting that fish larvae may encounter DHA deficiency in natural waters.…”

Latitudinal differences in somatic energy storage: adaptive responses to seasonality in an estuarine fish (Atherinidae: Menidia menidia )

“…The rate of allocation to lipid versus protein is likely to be sensitive to a variety of environmental factors, such as diet (e.g. Davis and Olla 1992). Some conditions may promote the incremental fattening of individuals as they grow older and/or larger.…”