The microalgae Chaetoceros muelleri (5 × 104 cells mL−1 ) was added and maintained to the culture water daily. When the larvae reached the stage of mysis 1 (average dry weight of 0,031 ± 0,004 mg and average length of 3,57 ± 0,029 mm) they were transferred to the experi- mental units, which were initially filled with 50% water from the hatchery tank and 50% filtered and disinfected water.