Fatty acid utilization during the early larval stages of Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) and Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

The pattern of conservation and loss of fatty acids from the yolk sac during the endogenous feeding period and subsequent starvation was studied in pompano and snook larvae. Fundamental information on the early fatty acid dynamic and mobilization of pompano and snook larvae was collected. In both species, fatty acids were utilized as an energy source after hatching. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids were catabolized, while saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were conserved. High levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) in pompano and snook eggs, as well as selective retention in the unfed larvae suggest a high dietary requirement for this fatty acid during the early stages of larval development. The effect of an ARA supplementation was therefore investigated in snook larvae at the rotifer feeding stage. The fatty acid profile of the larvae was successfully influenced to match that of wild eggs; however, no significant improvement in growth or survival was observed. Future research should be carried out over a longer period of time and include factors related to stress resistance.