Abstract.The growth and survival of groups of juvenile sole,Solea solea(L.), fed exclusively fresh or heat‐treated and frozen (stored) mussel,Mytilus edulisL., were compared and the effect of supplementing the stored mussel with one and two feeds per week of fresh mussel was assessed. Over the 9 weeks of the experiment the survival of the fish fed fresh mussel exceeded 90%. In contrast, less than 3% of those fed stored mussel alone survived. The inclusion of two feeds per week of fresh mussel increased survival to the same level as that of the groups fed only fresh mussel, though growth rates were significantly lower. The mortalities of the fish fed stored mussel were associated with an outbreak of the disease ‘black patch necrosis’ (BPN). The fish fed fresh mussel did not develop the symptoms of this disease despite their proximity to diseased fish and the lack of precautions to prevent its spread. The fish were not provided with a sand substrate, often considered necessary for sole ongrowing. It is suggested that a combination of adequate nutrition and attention to tank cleanliness is sufficient to avoid the occurrence of BPN and that the provision of a sand substrate is not a prerequisite for successful culture of juvenile