Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) megalopa stage seed feed enrichment with beta carotene

Abstract

This study aimed to increase the nutritional value of natural rotifer and Artemia feed by adding beta carotene sourced from carrots. This research was conducted in May 2020 at the hatchery unit of the Brackish Water Aquaculture Fishery Centre (BPBAP) Takalar. The research design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The experimental animals used were small blue swimming crab larvae (Portunus pelagicus) in the megalopa stage, which were stocked with a density of 5 individuals/L, and kept until they entered the crab stage. The expected output of this research is natural feed enrichment technology for rotifers and Artemia using beta carotene from carrots. The results showed that providing the right frequency of feed after enriching with beta carotene could increase the survival and growth of small blue swimming crab larvae. The optimum feeding frequency for megalopa stage blue swimming crab larvae was 3 times/day.