The effect of different co‐feeding protocols on greater amberjack ( Seriola dumerili , Risso 1810) larvae

Optimizing the growth and survival of marine fish larvae, while reducing the cost of production, is important for the development of viable hatcheries on an industrial scale. This study was aimed to determine whether Artemia sp. use could be minimized while maintaining high growth and survival, and low skeleton anomalies occurrence in greater amberjack ( Seriola dumerili ) during the weaning period. Five co‐feeding protocols, named as 1% A, 25% A, 50% A, 75% A and 100% A, according to different initial Artemia sp. densities provided (0.02, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 Artemia sp. ml −1 day −1 , respectively) were tested from 32 to 48 days post‐hatching (dph). Growth of larvae fed with protocols 1% A, 25% A and 50% A were significantly higher than larvae fed with protocols 75% A and 100% A. Survival increased as the effect of Artemia sp. increased. The incidence of total skeletal severe anomalies was high in larvae fed protocols 1% A and 25% A. Besides, the expression of growth and stress‐related genes were higher at 40 dph and then decreased significantly at 48 dph in all the co‐feeding protocols. The results obtained from this study suggest that the amount of Artemia sp. utilized can be significantly reduced during the weaning phase for this species.