Growth, survival and macronutrient composition of Penaeus monodon Fabricius larvae fed with Chaetoceros calcitrans and Tetraselmis chuii

Abstract

Penaeus monodon larvae were reared from zoea₁ (Z₁) to mysis₃ (M₃) using two different algal feeds, Chaetocero calcitrans and Tetraselmis chuii. Artemia nauplii were added to both treatments at mysis₂. Mean survival and growth rates in both treatments were different at 5% level of significance on the second and third day of culture, but did not differ during the mysis stage and the end of the 8-day culture period.

Z₃ and M₃ larvae fed with C. calcitrans had a lower crude protein but a higher lipid content than T. chuii-fed larvae. Differences in carbohydrate content were noticed in M₃ larvae. The implication of the findings are discussed.