RESUMO
The southern surf crab Ovalipes trimaculatus (de Haan, 1833) presents a high potential for aquaculture. In this study, we analyze the benefits of different dietary treatments on its molt success and fitness of larval stages. Artemia persimilis nauplii were enriched with monospecific (Nannochloropsis oculata, Tetraselmis suecica, Dunaliella salina, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros gracilis) and multispecific (Mix) microalgal diets twice a day over a 48-h period. Mean total length (TL), growth instar number (I) and gut fullness rate (GFR) of nauplii showed significant differences between dietary treatments at several sampling times, optimal results being observed in those providing Mix. Artemia nauplii grown under most experimental dietary treatments reached the capture size limit for Ovalipes trimaculatus zoea I (700 µm) within 24 h. After that time interval, Mix-enriched nauplii were amongst those with higher protein contents. Ovalipes trimaculatus zoea I fed on Artemia nauplii enriched during 24 h under different dietary treatments showed significant differences in survival, inter-molt duration, molting success to zoea II and motility. Optimal results were observed in zoea I fed on Mix-enriched Artemia nauplii. This work not only represents a first step towards the dietary optimization for O. trimaculatus zoeae rearing but also provides the first results on the use of enriched A. persimilis.