DETERMINATION OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH REARED TURBOT (SCOPHTHALMUS-MAXIMUS) LARVAE

In order to extend our knowledge of the presence of bacteria in hatche ries and their influence on rearing performance, the aerobic and facul tative bacterial flora associated with farmed turbot larvae were studi ed in relation to the microflora of the water and diets. A settlement of specific groups of bacterial populations was found in the gut of th e larvae. A clear succession of bacterial phenotypes was also observed from day 1 to day 90 post-hatching. Oxidative Gram-negative rods were predominant at the initial stages, whereas some phenotypes of Vibrio were frequent at the final stages. A high heterogeneity of Vibrio spec ies was observed in the intermediate period when the highest mortaliti es of turbot larvae occur.