Effect of feeding barbel larvae (Barbus barbus (L, 1758)) Artemia sp. nauplii enriched with PUFAs on their growth and survival rate, blood composition, alimentary tract histological structure and body chemical composition

Abstract This study analysed the effect of feeding a freshwater fish, barbel (Barbus barbus), with Artemia sp. enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Barbel larvae were divided into two groups, which received a daily dose of nauplii at 50 % of the fish body weight. One of the groups received nauplii enriched with PUFAs (group E), whereas the other received nauplii without enrichment and was used as a control group (group C). After 21 days of feeding with Artemia, the fish were switched to artificial feed. The second stage of the experiment lasted 28 days. Supplementation Artemia with PUFA improved the growth and feed utilisation indices. The mortality rate in group E was lower than in group C, although the differences were not statistically significant. Histological analyses revealed better development of the active area of intestines, as well as an increase in the neutrophil count in the blood. The fatty acid profile changed: the percentage of EPA and DHA increased. Use of Artemia enriched in PUFA in barbel rearing protocol proved to be an effective method of improving the effects of culturing the larvae.