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Issues in fish larval nutrition become the focus of this issue.

Farming of fish species that produce atricial larvae, i.e. larvae that have tiny mouth, fragile body and poorly developed organs, has generally lagged behind that of species that produce larger, more developed and stronger larvae. Feeding of atricial larvae poses two ajor challenges. One is finding or producing food that will be small enough to enter the tiny mouth of the larvae. The second is designing a nutritional package that will not only meet the nutrient demands of the animal, but also the developmental challenges faced by the young larvae. The larvae are hatched with poorly developed organs, systems and senses. Poorly developed vision and smell mean that their abilities to find food are limited. Poorly developed gut means that their abilities to digest the food are limited. Solutions to larval feeding need to comprehensively address these challenges.

Early research has shown that solutions for larval feeding need to start even before the larvae hatch. Broodstock nutrition plays an important role in larval quality through the delivery and deposit of nutrient reserves upon which the newly hatched larvae rely. Nutrients such as essential fatty acids, phospolipids, pigments and certain trace minerals and vitamins play far more critical role in broodstock and larval diets than in grow-out diets. For example, Arachidonic acid, generally considered nutritionally non-essential in grow-out feeds, is now regarded as essential in diets for breeders and larvae.

Advanced research in larval feed development involves understanding molecular pathways that dictate the normal development of fish larvae and the nutrients that modulate those pathways. Drawing tools derived from molecular genetics and proteomics, the new generation researchers understand nutritional factors that are critical to larval development. Such understanding leads to diets that are appropriate and tailor-made for the larvae. This issue of Aqua Feeds: Formulation & Beyond features three laboratories and lead scientists in each of the labs that are pursuing advanced research on fish larval nutrition. It is my hope that such introductions will help our readers not only to understand the progresses in a subject area, but also where and by whom the progresses are made. Further, it is my hope that this will facilitate interactions that will be beneficial to both our readers and contributors.

Victor Suresh
victor@feedware.com