Using micro particle diets to replace diatoms for feeding postlarval abalone Haliotis discus discus (Reeve.)

Abstract

Feeding artificial micro diets instead of diatoms may allow a more constant and controlled form of nutrition, and thus results in lower mortality rate and increased growth. A 4-week trial was conducted to determine the growth and survival of postlarval Haliotis discus discus (Reeve.) postlarvae fed three experimental micro particle diets, and naturally occurring diatoms. A completely randomized design was adopted with each diet being replicated three times. All diets varied in terms of particle size and gross composition. Survival rate was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the diatom diet (19.5±2.1%) when compared with the K-1 diet (38.8±8.9%), the K-2 diet (43.7±5.6%) and the MD-Q diet (44.2±14.8%). The size of postlarvae fed the four diets was not significantly different (P>0.05). There was also little difference in the daily growth rate. Based on the results of this work for the preliminary implementation of artificial food as a replacement diet for diatoms, it seems that postlarval H. discus discus readily consumes artificial micro particle diets and has a superior survival rate when compared to that of diatoms.