Evaluation of a microbound spray-dried feed for the rearing of penaeid shrimp larvae

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.