Early growth, the rate of yolk sac absorption, and nucleus size in liver parenchymal cells were correlated with the nutritional status of first feeding larval haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus. Larvae that successfully began exogenous feeding maintained high growth rates, delayed yolk sac resorption, and had larger hepatocyte nuclear sizes than starved larvae. At 10 days post hatch (DPH) the cumulative mortality in the starved larval haddock group was 100%. The area of the hepatocyte nuclei in starved larvae gradually decreased, reaching its lowest value by 9 DPH. Our results support the current practice of providing the first food supply at 3 DPH. Hepatocyte nuclear size can be used to assess larval haddock nutrition status, and may be a good criterion for assessing the success of transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding.

• Kim Bong-Seok
• Park In-Seok
• Kim Hyung-Soo