Effects of feeding with different live preys on the lipid composition, growth and survival of Octopus vulgaris paralarvae

To move forward in the farming of Octopus vulgaris paralarvae, it is necessary to search for a live prey easy to obtain and maintain in the laboratory that meets the nutritional requirements of the octopus paralarvae and adapts to its predatory behaviour. Grapsus adscensionis zoeae (Crustacea, Decapoda) seems to fulfil most of these targets, and it was herein used to deepen knowledge of paralarvae lipid requirements and composition, growth and survival. To this purpose, the effects of feeding with Grapsus zoeae as sole prey were compared with Artemia at two different stages (nauplii and juveniles), which also differed in their lipid profiles. After 15 days of feeding, the best growth and survival of paralarvae was obtained in the Grapsus group, and no differences were observed between both Artemia groups. Triacylglycerides storage in paralarvae seemed to be co-related with a lower growth and survival, but not with its prey levels. Contrarily, sterol ester levels were higher in paralarvae fed Grapsus, reflecting its content in the prey. The best paralarval viability was related to higher levels of 22:6n-3 (DHA) and 20:4n-6 (ARA), also reflecting its higher content in the prey. On the other hand, neither the 20:5n-3 (EPA) levels in the prey nor in paralarvae were related to growth or survival. The implications of these results are discussed considering the lipid requirements of O. vulgaris paralarvae.

This work was partially supported by the research projects PRESAPUL (2009–2011), cod. PI SolsubC200801000162, funded by the Canarian Government (ACIISI), and OCTOPHYS (AGL2010-22120-CO3-01, MICINN), funded by the Spanish Government. A.V. Sykes wish to thank Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for funding him (SFRH/BPD/36100/2007 grant, Invited Research grant—program Incentivo and IF/00576/2014 contract) and project SEPIAMETA (PTDC/MAR/102348/2008). C. Rodríguez is a member of the ITC.

Peer reviewed