Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Arthrospira sp. on Growth and Survival in Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) Post Larvae Jesing G. Vanza1, Kanji L. Jetani1, Anil S. Kotiya2, Haresh G. Solanki3, Mihir R. Patel1,* 1College of Fisheries, Junagadh Agricultural University, Department of Aquaculture, Veraval, Junagadh, Gujarat 2A.R.S., Fisheries Research Station, Department of Aquaculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Okha, Gujarat 3A.R.S., S.W.M.R.U., Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat *Email: mika.patel9@gmail.com
Online published on 2 January, 2017. Abstract The cyanobacterium Arthrospira is known to have highest crude protein content (60%-65%), rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acid) and antioxidant pigments such as carotenoids with no toxic nutrients so far found in it. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted using post larvae of Penaeus monodon (initial weight 0.056±0.006 g) to evaluate the efficacy of five isonitrogenous test diets (40% protein) containing various inclusion levels of Arthrospira sp. on growth and survival of P. monodon post larvae. Five experimental diets containing 0%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% were formulated containing fishmeal as a major animal protein source (0%Arthrospira sp) and Arthrospira sp. as a major plant protein source (15%, 20%, 25% and 30%) with crude protein levels of 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. Fish meal based diets were served as control diets. The study showed that the diet with inclusion of 20% Arthrospira sp. produced a significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate compared to other diets (p<0.05). Further increase in the Arthrospira sp. inclusion levels significantly reduced the growth and feeding performance. Percentage survival and water stability of diet was found to be significantly higher at inclusion levels of 20%. The study further recommends that Arthrospira sp. cannot fulfill the requirement as a sole protein source in the diet of P. monodon post larvae, but can be effectively used as a supplementary protein source. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded thatArthrospira can be used as a replacement of fish meal at 20% protein level in Penaeus monodon larval diets. Top Keywords P. monodon, Arthrospira, Fish meal, growth. Top |