Supplementing copper to a fish meal based diet fed to Atlantic salmon parr affects liver copper and selenium concentrations

The present experiment was conducted to study growth and tissue responses in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fed a fish meal based diet supplemented with copper (Cu). The findings of the experiment were used to evaluate the need for dietary Cu supplementation. Atlantic salmon parr, initially weighing ≊ 7.5 g, were randomly distributed among 10 tanks, with 300 fish in each tank. Duplicate groups of fish were fed a fish meal based diet containing 3.5 mg Cu kg−1, or this diet supplemented with 5, 10, 50 or 100 mg Cu kg−1 (as CuSO4*5 H2O) for 12 weeks. Growth was recorded and blood haemoglobin measured. The Cu concentrations in whole body, liver, serum and selected muscle samples were measured, as was liver selenium (Se) concentration. There were no difference in growth among the dietary treatments. There were, however, significant differences among the dietary groups in liver Cu and Se concentrations. The fish fed the diet supplemented with 5 mg Cu kg−1 had increased liver Cu concentration compared with the other groups. Similar trends were found for serum Cu concentration and whole‐body Cu concentration, but these effects were not significant. Liver Cu and Se concentrations were positively correlated and liver Se concentrations were inversely correlated to dietary Cu concentration, confirming an interaction between these two elements in salmon. There may be a positive effect of a modest Cu supplementation level, and we suggest that a small amount of Cu (5–10 mg kg−1) should be added to fish meal based diets.