Effect of different levels of synthetic astaxanthin on growth, skin color and lipid metabolism of commercial sized red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)

•Evaluation of the supplementing effects of commercial feeds with Carophyll Pink™.•Supplementation improved the skin color in large size commercial red porgy.•Dietary astaxanthin supplementation had no effect on growth.•Lipid composition of the liver and mesenteric fat were not affected by Carophyll Pink™ supplementation.