%0 Journal Article %T Morphology of the Early Age and the Pigment Occurrence and the Effects of Different Feed Additives on the Body Color of Plectropomus leopardus %J 渔业科学进展en %@ 2095-9869 %V 35 %N 5 %D 2014 %P 83-90 %K Plectropomus leopardus; Pigment; Body color; Spirulina powder; Astaxanthin %X The current study investigated the early pigment accumulation and transformation process of Plectropomus leopardus and evaluated the effects of two feeding additives on growth and body color traits. The results indicated that larval eyespot pigment granules gradually increased at day 2, the white eyes became black, and the feeding behaviors appeared. The arborization melanin area extended on the back fin at day 3, and a melanocytes plexus appeared at the bottom of the spine. At 22 d, the row intermittent melanin spots appeared above the fish spine and the number of melanin spots reduced. The mouth, the base of the fins and both sides of the spine became pale yellow. At 28 d, the accumulation of yellow and red pigment of the juvenile was further increased, which were surrounded by lots of red pigment spots. The fish had vivid orange color. At 30−33 d, the surface of both sides was covered with dense black and orange spots. The chunks of the spots were disappeared under the spine except a large melanin spot at the bottom of the caudal. The spirulina powder and astaxanthin had similar and significant effects on the full length and body weight of Plectropomus leopardus (P<0.05) at day 15. At day 30, 9% but not 3% and 6% of spirulina powder had significant effects on the body weight (P<0.05). Compared to the control, all astaxanthin treatments (except the 0.6% group) significantly increased the body weight with the best treatment of 0.1% experimental group. At day 15, astaxanthin markedly improved the body color. At day 30, the spirulina powder did not improve the body color. These results demonstrated that the spirulina powder may contribute to the early development of the juveniles but negatively affected the growth with the increase of feeding concentrations and the breeding time; however, and that 0.1% astaxanthin treatment was effectively enhance fish growth and body color development. %R 10.11758/yykxjz.20140512 %U http://journal.yykxjz.cn/yykxjzen/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx %1 JIS Version 3.0.0