Prevention of surface death of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) larvae by the addition of egg white and camphor grain to rearing water

To prevent surface tension-related deaths in horse mackerel larvae, Trachurus mediterraneus, camphor grain (CG; 26 and 52 mg L-1 with and without ethanol) and chicken egg white (EW; 40 and 80 mu L L-1) were added to rearing water. Compared with the control groups, supplementation of EW (4080 mu L) and CG (52 mg L-1, dissolved in ethanol) significantly improved the survivals of horse mackerel larvae (P<0.05). At the end of the 10 days after hatching, the survival rates of EW-40 and EW-80 were 64% and 72% respectively. No clear correlation was found between surface tension and survival rate.