Growth rate is dependent upon adequate provision of amino acids especially in newly-hatched fish which experience very high growth rate. The replacement of a fraction of protein content by partially hydrolyzed (pre-digested) proteins was carried out and the digestive capacities and performances of larval/juvenile spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) were measured. The goal of this study was to verify whether the scope for growth is principally dictated by the proteolytic capacity of the digestive system by examining the effect of protein hydrolysates (PH) and trypsin inhibitor dietary inclusion on protein digestion/assimilation capacities, growth and survival. Four experimental diets were examined: C (control) I (supplemented with 750mg/kg soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)) H (supplemented with 20% PH) and HI (supplemented with 20% PH and 750mg/kg SBTI). Protein hydrolysate supplementation gave significantly higher body mass than control at day 15 post-hatching. Unexpectedly, at day 30 and 60, fish administered diet HI (containing trypsin inhibitor) were heavier than the other groups. Suggested mechanisms are presented and discussed. The main conclusions of this study are that wolffish larval stage lasts roughly 15days and that juvenile growth is linked to proteolytic capacity, but also very likely to absorption capacity of peptides and amino acids. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.