This inter-universitary project (FUNDP-ULg) aims at mastering the various phases for rearing carnivorous fishes, with perch Perca fluviatilis being the target species. The main directions of research are - the genetic improvement of broodstocks by the selection of strains characterized by high growth performances, based on morpho-productive characters and molecular polymorphism, as well as by mastering the technique for producing monosex female populations and sterile triploïds; - the maximization of production by optimizing physico-chemical conditions in recirculated facilities and by establishing a global bioenergetic budget integrating the different production variables; - the improvement of resistance to pathologies in fish and theformulation of a specific diet best meeting the requirements of the perch. Experiments are carried out in various rearing facilities, so as to compare the production under intensive (recirculated) or semi-intensive (fertilized ponds) conditions. Since 1999, our research has chiefly focused on characterizing lipid requirements of the perch (in a collaboration with Purdue University, West Lafayette Indiana), and on genetic improvment of stocks by crossings between the common european perch and the american, yellow perch Perca flavescens (in a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, Madison). The first results point to the existence of a strong heterosis effect resulting from hybridization, the growth rates of both hybrid types beinglargely superior to those of their parental species. Fatty acid profiles indicate particularly high levels of docosahexanoenoïc acid, notably in the muscles (from 34 to 39% of total lipids)