Co-feeding strategies to improve turbot larvae

Universidade do Algarve

60 days

35h / week

Co-feeding strategies to improve turbot larvae Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is a high-value flatfish species with excellent consumer acceptance. However, obtaining increasing numbers of high-quality juveniles is one of the main bottlenecks. Larval rearing and weaning protocols for flatfish larvae have been largely improved in the past decade, but there is still plenty of room for improving performance, increasing survival and further enhancing quality through refined larval first-feeding regimes. Therefore, the development of optimized microfeeds and feeding protocols for the very early development stages of Turbot, including the early use of specialized inert microfeeds, will lead to a significant reduction in live feed use. These novel nutritional solutions will ultimately boost growth performance, increase survival and enhance quality of flatfish larvae and early juveniles.

Tasks and duties entrusted to the student:
To participate in the nutritional experiments on turbot larvae. Daily routines will include feeding the fish, abiotic parameters measurements (oxygen, temperature, salinity, pH, nitrogenous compounds, …), cleaning the rearing tanks. Participating in the samplings, processing the samples (measurements of body weight, total length, …). To register the acquired data on file (excel)

Skills to be acquired or developed:
Independence and initiative; Commitment, perseverance and adaptivity; Development of knowledge and skills; Time management; Performance on research tasks.

Compensation:

Erasmus + grant available depending on eligibility criteria of your home university