The present work looks at the effectiveness of microbound spray-dried feed
(MB-SD) elaborated with two phycocolloids, sodium alginate (ALG) and kappa-
carrageenan (KAPACA), and no binder at all (SL). Feeding trials were carrie
d out on larval Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei from wild broodst
ock. Nauplii were stocked in 1.5-L round-bottomed flasks at a rate of 100 l
arvae/tank. Thirty thousand cells/mL (70% Chaetoceros muelleri and 30% Isoc
hrysis galbana) were added to the artificial feed treatments as a single do
se of live algae (SDLA) administered on the first day of the experiment. Th
e MB-SD was given at 6-16 mg/L daily every 4 h from 0800 to 2000 hours. Wat
er was not exchanged during the 10-d experimental period. The MB-SD with KA
PACA gave the highest survival (61 +/- 4.68), good mean individual dry weig
ht (104 +/- 20.9 mg), and high metamorphic rate (81 +/- 14%), followed by M
B-SD with ALG (56.9 +/- 4.18 survival; 65 +/- 10% metamorphic rate) and MB-
SD with SL (49.2 +/- 6.2% survival; 76 +/- 12% metamorphic rate). The latte
r feeds did not show a significant difference; however, they were slightly
better than live food (algae plus brine shrimp Artemia sp.; 51.3 +/- 7.9% s
urvival; 52 +/- 8% metamorphic rate). The MB-SD with KAPACA provided good l
arval survival and growth and could be used in experimental larviculture.