Larval rearing of the shrimps Metapenaeus ensis (de Haan) and Penaeus chinensis (Osbeck) on artificial feed

Abstract. This study explored the feasibility of completely replacing live foods with an artificial diet for rearing the larvae of Metapenaeus ensis (de Haan) and Penaeus chinensis (Osbeck). The artificial diets tested were a microparticulate diet developed at the Centre Océanologique du Pacifique, Tahiti, and Artificial Plankton B.P. (Nippai Shrimp Feed Inc., Japan). Survival and development of shrimp were assessed in 1-l cones stocked with 100 nauplius V-VI or protozoea I larvae. Live feeds of the diatom Chaetoceros gracilis and Artemia nauplii served as controls. Whereas the larvae could be reared to post-larvae with artificial diets alone, the highest survival and development rates were always obtained with live foods. Larvae fed with artificial diets had retarded development and their survival to post-larvae was always lower than those fed live foods. Total replacement of live foods with artificial diets resulted in a reduction in the body length of post-larvae I in P.chinensis . Supplementing Artificial Plankton B.P. with Artemia nauplii enhanced survival and development in this species. It was concluded that the two artificial diets are not satisfactory complete substitutes for live foods in raising the two penaeids but can be used as a convenient supplement when algal diet is limited.