Iodine enrichment of Artemia and enhanced levels of iodine in Atlantic halibut larvae (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) fed the enriched Artemia

Flatfish metamorphosis is initiated by the actions of thyroid hormones (TH) and iodine is an essential part of these hormones. Hence, an iodine deficiency may lead to insufficient levels of TH and incomplete metamorphosis. In this study, different iodine sources for enrichment of Artemia were evaluated and the levels of iodine obtained in Artemia were within the range of 60–350 μg g−1 found in copepods. Larval Atlantic halibut was fed Artemia enriched with either normal DC-DHA Selco or DC-DHA Selco (commercial enrichments) supplemented with iodine from days 9 to 60 postfirst feeding. There was no significant difference in growth, mortality or metamorphic development between the groups. The analyses showed that we were able to enrich Artemia with iodine. Further, the larvae-fed iodine-enriched Artemia had higher whole body iodine concentration compared to larvae-fed Artemia without iodine enrichment.