S. Harpaz, M. Rise, S. Arad, N. Gur-1998
Aquaculture Nutrition, 4(3): 201-208
Abstract:
The effect of adding carotenoids from various sources to feed of juvenile freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus on pigmentation, growth and survival was examined under laboratory conditions. Juvenile crayfish were fed diets fortified with carotenoids at a level of 100 microgram/g for a period of either 49 or 55 days. Carotenoid sources were: dried algal cells prepared from Dunaliella salina in which the main carotenoid is beta-carotene, a synthetic carotenoid, astaxanthin (Caryophyll Pink 8%, manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche) and alfalfa meal. Crayfish receiving feeds fortified with carotenoids exhibited better body colouration than those in the control group. Growth and survival of the crayfish were not affected by the addition of carotenoids to their diet.
(Department of Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel, e-mail: harpaz@agri.huji.ac.il)