Using micro particle diets to replace diatoms for feeding postlarval abalone Haliotis discus discus (Reeve.)

A. Stott, T. Takeuchi, Y. Koike, H. Yamakawa, O. Imada-2002

Fisheries Science, 68(5): 1088-1093

Abstract:

Feeding artificial micro diets instead of diatoms may allow a more constant and controlled form of nutrition, and thus results in lower mortality rate and increased growth. A 4-week trial was conducted to determine the growth and survival of postlarval Haliotis discus discus (Reeve) postlarvae fed three experimental micro particle diets, and naturally occurring diatoms. A completely randomized design was adopted with each diet being replicated three times. All diets varied in terms of particle size and gross composition. Survival rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the diatom diet (19.5 ± 2.1%) when compared with the K-1 diet (38.8 ± 8.9%), the K-2 diet (43.7 ± 5.6%) and the MD-Q diet (44.2 ± 14.8%). The size of postlarvae fed the four diets was not significantly different (P > 0.05). There was also little difference in the daily growth rate. Based on the results of this work for the preliminary implementation of artificial food as a replacement diet for diatoms, it seems that postlarval H. discus discus readily consumes artificial micro particle diets and has a superior survival rate when compared to that of diatoms.

(Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Fisheries, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan, Tel: 81-3-5463-0545. Fax: 81-3-5463-0545. Email: take@tokyo-u-fish.ac.jp)

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