Effect of three different feeding regimes on growth, metabolism and digestive enzyme activities, in the early life of Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Growth, metabolism and digestive enzyme activities were measured in Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)from hatching to day 60 of development. The fish were either fed Artemia sp. or a formulated feed, in excess, or at maintenance ration. Citrate synthase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate oxaloacetate transamylase, glutamate dehydrogenase, beta-hydroxy acyl CoA-dehydrogenase amylase, lipase and trypsin activities were measured at day 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 post-hatching. Larvae fed with the formulated diet showed impaired growth during the first 10 days followed by a period of rapid growth to attain significantly higher mass than those groups fed with Artemia sp.. The activities of glycolytic enzymes (LDH and PK) increased with fish mass. This increase was more notable in fish fed with the formulated feed. In fish fed with Artemia sp., trypsin activity was higher. Significant amylase activity was reported in all groups. The other enzymes did not show a clear correlation to growth rate or fish mass.