For all ex perimental groups, incubation larvar and post-larvar rearing at the hatchery unit were carried out using the standard rearing protocol for gilthead seabream Briefly fertilized eggs belonging to the specific experimental group were stocked separately in 400 L cylindro-conical fiberglass tanks at a density of 100 eggs L The tanks were supplied continuously with filteret
Seawater under controlled temperature (19-25 c) and salinity 25-40 ppt. Theseawater was exchanged at a rate of two to four times a day, depending upon larvae age. Freshly enriched live food (rotifers and artemia nauppii