The occurrence of juvenile pigmentation abnormalities in plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) larvae fed on enriched and unenriched Artemia salina nauplii

The effect of diet on the frequency of malpigmentation was investigated in laboratory‐reared plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) fed on either enriched or unenriched Artemia salina nauplii. The juveniles fed continuously on unenriched Artemia during their larval period showed 29.0% normal pigmentation whereas those fed solely on enriched Artemia, showed 63% normal pigmentation. The possibility of a critical period for pigment development was tested by changing the diet of larvae at different ages. Results suggested that a critical period is less important than the duration of time fed on a nutritionally complete diet.