Feeding behaviour of North Sea turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Dover sole (Solea solea) larvae elicited by chemical stimuli

The effect of chemical stimuli on the feeding behaviour of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) and sole (Solea solea L.) larvae was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Laboratory-reared flatfish larvae exposed to chemical stimuli showed significant differences in the frequency of various behaviour patterns related to feeding (such as swimming, snapping and darting) compared to larvae exposed to blanks of filtrated seawater. The chemical substances Il-asparagine, glycine, inosine 5-monophosphate and betaine evoked the strongest behavioural responses in turbot larvae. In sole larvae the most potent substances were Il-phenylalanine, Il-lysine, Il-asparagine, inosine 5-monophosphate and betaine. These results show that feeding of turbot and sole larvae is influenced by chemosensory processes at an early larval stage, and indicate that chemoreception may be an integrated part of turbot and sole larvae feeding strategy.