Improvement in the feeding efficiency of larval, post larval and juvenile Dover sole ( Solea solea L.) by the use of staining to improve the visibility of Artemia used as food

The feeding efficiency of larval, post larval and juvenile Dover sole ( Solea solea L.) was studied by using Artemia stained with five different food colourings — brilliant blue, pink, lemon yellow, red “C” and black. The results show that the feeding efficiency is markedly improved by this treatment. The maximum feeding efficiency was found using black stained Artemia and minimum for the unstained control. This clearly suggests that the contrast perception of the food in relation to the illumination of the background is of major importance especially during the critical weaning period of the larval stage when feeding is being established.