'COLORED' - a European Research Project ( Q5RS-31629)
ENVIRONMENTAL, NUTRITIONAL AND NEUROENDOCRINE REGULATION OF SKIN COLORATION IN THE RED PORGY, Pagrus pagrus

The red porgy, Pagrus pagrus, is one of the most popular sparid fish species in the Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast, characterised by high price value, a highly appreciated flesh and good market perspectives.

Initial commercial trials have already been performed in several Mediterranean fish farms. Intensively reared fish show a good adaptability to culture conditions, a high growth rate, and present no serious disease problems. Therefore, red porgy has been considered as a prime species for diversification of aquaculture production.

However, the main problem for moving towards commercial production is the discoloration of skin observed in cultured fish. Red porgies reared in tanks or netted pens, which are fed formulated feeds, exhibit a dark colour at the back and sides unlike wild specimens which have a pink and silver colour on the dorsolateral surface of the body with scattered blue spots.

The overall aim of this project has been to resolve this market-related problem towards the generation of a natural hue in cultured population, through a better understanding of the different environmental, nutritional and neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating skin coloration.