Changes in Fatty Acid Profile of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) During Larval Development

This study investigated ontogeny of fatty acid profile in common carp larvae to determine nutritional requirements with a view to improving product quality from hatching to 33 days post hatching at the governmental warm water fish aquaculture center of Shahid Rajaee in Sari، Mazandaran، Iran. Larvae were collected randomly at 1، 3، 7، 11، 15، 19، 26 and 33 days post hatch. Larvae were fed with rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus) from day 3 to day 7، and then with dry diet from day 8 onwards. Profiles of saturated fatty acids، monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids showed significant changes. From the beginning to the end of experiment، total saturated fatty acid decreased at the level of 2 % and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated increased by 7. 46 % and 1. 26 %، respectively. Fluctuations in the composition of fatty acids in various periods reflect preferential utilization of fatty acids for energy production. Marine carp larvae metabolized apparently dietary linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid، and dietary linoleic acid to arachidonic acid.