The Effect of Dietary Soybean Lecithin on Growth, Survival and Body Amino Acid Composition of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys Olivaceus) Larvae

In the study of the nutritional requirements of phospholipids in fish larvae, three diets were tested, containing 4 %, 2 % and 0 % soybean lecithin. Larvae of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, were cultured using these three diets. A control group was fed only rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis. Growth and survival after 30 days of culture, of larvae fed 2 % and 0 % soybean lecithin were significantly lower that for larvae fed diets wit 4 % soybean lecithin and the control group. The amino acid composition of the larvae fed the different diets was very similar for all groups, and it was not dependent on the diet fed. Results indicate that larval Japanese flounder need phospholipids in the diet, which may be covered by supplementing the diet with 4 % soybean lecithin.