Author:

Keywords:

0704 Fisheries Sciences, Fisheries, 3005 Fisheries sciences, 3106 Industrial biotechnology

Abstract:

The burbot (Lota lota), a nocturnal and benthic gadoid freshwater fish commonly referred to as 'the freshwater cod', holds significant promise for the diversification of European inland aquaculture. Its delectable white flesh makes it an esteemed food fish among consumers. Burbot exhibits a unique reproductive behavior, spawning only once a year when temperatures dip below 4°C. Current research efforts pertaining to burbot reproduction heavily rely on wild breeders captured shortly before the spawning season or those maintained in semi-natural conditions. Addressing the reproduction gap between hatchery and wild breeders is crucial to develop a well-informed strategy that ensures the consistent production of high-quality eggs and larvae within culture systems. This understanding is essential for the advancement of burbot aquaculture and the overall success of the industry. For successful commercial production of burbot, it is imperative to establish a selfcontained Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) for broodstock, as access to wild spawners is limited due to their scarcity and biosecurity concerns. An important step in the successful operation of a RAS for broodstock is to improve our knowledge of nutritional requirements, particularly fatty acid content, which has been poorly documented in burbot.