R Batista-Ramos¹, L García-Delgado⁴, S Mireles-Flores⁴, C Olmo-González⁴, I Aguilera-Garces², B López-Valoy2, D Verdecia-Acosta², C Lemus-Flores³ and F Grageola-Nuñez³

¹Sree Meenakshi Arts and Science College, Affiliated to Periyar University, Eriyur, Pennagaram (Tk), Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India
²P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, C. Abdul Hakeem College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Thiruvalluvar University, Melvisharam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, India
³P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, Government Arts College for Men, Affiliated to Periyar University, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India
⁴Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu, India
⁵P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India
⁶Aquatic Sciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, PG and Research Department of Zoology, Ethiraj College for Women(Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
⁷Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture, Artemia Project, Tharuvaikulam, Ottapidaram (Tk), Tuticorin District, Tamil Nadu, India
⁸Marine Planktonology and Aquaculture Laboratory, Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
⁹PG and Research Department of Zoology, National College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
¹⁰Institution of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
¹¹Biodiversity Research Center, Earth, Climate and Ocean Research Foundation, Kochi, Kerala
¹²Crustacean Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: Narasimman Manickam, Sree Meenakshi Arts and Science College, Affiliated to Periyar University, Eriyur, Pennagaram (Tk), Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Received: September 08, 2025; Published: September 23, 2025

Abstract

Live food organisms encompass all forms of phytoplankton and zooplankton that are consumed by economically significant aqua-hatchery species, which include the early stages of finfish and shellfish. Generally, zooplankton feed on phytoplankton, establishing phytoplankton as the foundation of the food chain. These live foods are capable of swimming within the water column and are consistently accessible to fish and shellfish larvae, which are likely to trigger a feeding response in the larvae. In natural environments, the majority of finfish and shellfish larvae consume small organisms of both phytoplanktonic and zooplanktonic nature. The success of hatchery production for fish fingerlings intended for stocking in grow-out production systems is significantly reliant on the availability of appropriate live food to nourish fish larvae, fry, and fingerlings. Live food organisms are rich in essential nutrients, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, and are therefore often referred to as "living capsules of nutrition." The provision of suitable live food at the right time is crucial for maximizing the growth and survival rates of young finfish and shellfish.

Keywords: Live Feed; Zooplankton; Cladoceran; Copepod; Nutrients; Finfish; Shellfish

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Citation

Citation: Narasimman Manickam., et al. “Live Feed: Importance of Aqua-Hatchery".Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 7.10 (2025): 40-47.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Narasimman Manickam., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.