Vahid Morshedi

In this study, the effects of manual and commercial rotifer enrichment with DHA on the survival, growth performance, digestive enzymes and antioxidant activities of yellowtail clownfish larvae (Amphiprion clarkii) were investigated. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 experimental treatments (commercial enrichment of rotifer with Super selco, manual enrichment of rotifer with hand-made emulsion and control group) and three replications. The results of growth parameters analysis showed that the standard length and wet weight of larvae increased significantly in commercial and manual enrichment of rotifers with DHA, respectively. Survival rates of larvae were not statistically different mong the treatments during the larviculture period. According to the results, commercial enrichment of rotifers with DHA led to a significant increase in the activity of digestive enzymes lipase, protease and alkaline phosphatase of larvae compared to manual enrichment treatments and the control group. Also, the highest amount of malondialdehyde production and activity of antioxidant enzyme superoxidase dismutase was observed in commercial enrichment. In general, the results of this study showed, the use of commercial enrichment of rotifers, significantly improved the growth parameters and digestive enzymes and antioxidants, so this feeding strategy is advisable for proper nutritional management of larvae of this species.