Growth, metamorphosis and survival of orange-spotted rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) larvae fed sodium iodide-supplemented brine shrimp (Artemia sp.)

In an attempt to improve the hatchery production of orange-spotted rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus), the present study evaluated the effects of iodine-supplementation of larval food (Artemia) on endogenous thyroid hormone (TH) levels in larvae, and subsequently on their metamorphosis, growth and survival. Rabbitfish larvae (20 days after hatching, DAH) were fed unsupplemented (control) and sodium iodide (0.8 g L−1) -supplemented Artemia. The larvae were reared in 250-L fiberglass tanks at a stocking density of five larvae L−1. Each treatment has three replicates. The study was conducted until 50% of the larval population in both treatments has completely metamorphosed. Iodine-supplementation in larval food resulted in significantly higher levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), (TH) in rabbitfish larvae (p