Optimization and identification of the farming potential for the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

Aquaflow Technical Leaflet 2002-43

European Network for the Dissemination of Aquaculture RTD Information (Q5CA-2000-30105) and previously FAIR-3837, URL: http://www.aquaflow.org/

The farming potentiality of Solea senegalensis was identified and characterized by a multidisciplinary approach. Zootechnical parameters, histological and histochemical methods were used. The following targets were identified:

i) Brood stock management – identification of the principal needs and conditioning parameters;

ii) Egg quality by biochemical methods;

iii) Larval development – main nutritional larval needs (morphology and physiology of the digestive tract and associated organs, metabolism and fatty acids incorporation, larval histology and histochemistry) and principal zoo technical parameters of the larval development;

iv) Juveniles – Early weaning to artificial diets – growth and survival, nutritional needs, main feed components and feeding type. Relationship between feeds and growth and survival;

v) Abnormalities – Principal abnormalities and ontogenesis ( swim bladder formation, pigmentation physiology by histological and histochemical methods ).

The project is now finished and the main objectives have been accomplished in relation to larval rearing and juvenile production. Weaning into artificial diets is no longer a major problem providing that fish attain the right size development of the digestive tract is complete. Quality of feeds for weaning is also very important and the best results (70% survival) were achieved with Aglonorse ® feeds. After weaning this species of sole can be ongrown with good growth rates with a wide range of artificial diets. The principal abnormalities identified were: pigmentation (up to 15% in a batch), however skeleton abnormalities were also detected. Some problems persist in brood stock management in order to have a predictable production of eggs. Those problems are:

- Decrease of the number of spawnings per season, in captivity 
- Uncontrolled spawning period 
- Unsuccessful hormonal induction 
- Low fertility or no ovoposition

For information:

Maria Teresa Dinis
Universidade do Algarve, CCMAR
Campus de Gambelas 8000-810 Faro
Spain
Phone : +351 289 800927
Fax : +351 289 818353
E-mail : mtdinis@ualg.pt

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