Significance of carp (Cyprinus carpio) feeding with Chironomidae larvae for meat quality improvement in the semiintensive production system

Fish nutrition based on combination of natural food (zooplankton and bottom fauna) as main protein source, and added food, mostly cereals, as energy supply, is one of the main features of the world prevailing, semi-intensive farming system. In the recent years in several countries of South East Europe instead of cereals pelleted and extruded feed is used in carp nutrition in periods of depression of natural food. This is the way to overcome the lack of proteins and lipids, of required amino and fatty acids composition. Bottom fauna organisms represent natural food of greatest importance for fry and cultured consumable carp. Because of its mass development in spring and lesser in autumn, Chironomidae larvae are particularly rich source of nutrients for carp. They are an easily noticeable pray because of their body dimensions (till several centimeters) and clear red color (coming from hemoglobin). Chironomidae larvae are invaluable protein source of adequate amino acid composition for carp body growth. Also, this is a source of lipids, particularly rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. High omega 3 fatty acid content is present in Chironomidae, especially in Chironomus plumosus, the most frequently observed species in fish ponds. In Chironomus plumosus larvae, omega 6 fatty acids content compared to omega 3 content is higher. This is of particular importance providing higher needs in omega 6 for carp. Considering that omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids ratio in farmed fish is lower compared to natural populations; that the consumption of farmed fish is increasing together with requirements to increase omega 3 content, and optimally balance omega 3/omega 6 ratio; research in carp meat improvement are of utmost importance. Stimulation of natural food development particularly Chironomidae larvae in carp ponds is one of the approaches for enhancement of farmed carp meat quality.