Abstract
Elvers and glass eels of Anguilla anguilla were fed diets containing two types of feeding stimulants (FS) that were based on processed marine (MBFS) and yeast proteins (YBFS). Elvers (1.5 ± 0.3 g) were fed seven diets (MBFS and YBFS diets at 20 g kg−1, 40 g kg−1 and 60 g kg−1 plus control) for 60 days. Glass eels (250 ± 100 mg) were weaned to 60 g kg−1 MBFS, 60 g kg−1 YBFS and control diets for 30 days. Diets containing 60 g kg−1 FS had a beneficial effect in terms of growth, homogenous size distribution and feed intake in elvers. Elvers fed 60 g kg−1 MBFS and YBFS diets grew 11.9% and 5.6% faster than the control group. No differences in growth and size distribution were detected in glass eels fed 60 g kg−1 MBFS and YBFS diets. However, FS affected the digestive system maturation; fish fed the 60 g kg−1 MBFS and YBFS diets showed higher and intermediate values in the specific enzyme activities in comparison with the control group. This study revealed that the incorporation of FS into a pelleted diet was beneficial on the overall performance of European glass eels and elvers. However, the observed results were different depending on the eel’s stage of development, as well as the type and inclusion level of the FS.