The Effects of Artemia Extract on the Feeding Behavior of Sablefish Anaplopoma fimbria Larva and Early Juvenile Fish

Weaning sablefish, Anaplopoma fimbria, from live feeds to microparticulate diets is a crucial step in the production of this high-value fish.  It is unknown if prey extracts can serve as chemoattractants for larval sablefish.  In this study, I tested the behavioral response of 21-24 DPS sablefish larva previously raised on live feeds to Artemia extract.  In a separate trial, I tested the behavioral response of late larva and early juvenile sablefish to Artemia extract as an ingredient in feed.  In the first trial, the larva were recorded using a digital video camera and the behavior was analyzed with custom computer vision software.  I found that introduction of Artemia extract increases the number of larva near the surface and decreases the linearity of the swim path, but had no effect in swimming speed.  In the second trial, there was a trend for the larva to begin consuming the Artemia feed earlier compared to the base diet.  In a third trial on early juvenile sablefish, more fish were observed eating the Artemia diet at the surface than fish fed the base diet.  I conclude that Artemia extract contains possible attractants and its use as an attractant for weaning sablefish to micro-particulate diets should be explored.