Replacement of living microalgae with spray-dried diets for the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Growth experiments were carried out in which juvenile mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were fed diets composed of spray-dried algal products (Sanders Brine Shrimp) which included Schizochytrium sp. (SZ; Docosa Gold), Spirulina platensis (Sp) =Arthrospira platensis] and Hematococcus pluvialis (H) either alone or in combination with partial rations of living microalgae. Growth of mussels fed 1/4 ration of living algae plus a mixed supplement of 50/50% w/w SZ:Sp grew significantly (SNK; P<0.05) faster than mussels fed a full live algal ration. Furthermore, growth (both wet weight and dry organic weight increase) of mussels fed diets composed of either 70/30% w/w SZ: ground Sp (GSp; <20 μm) or 25/50/25% w/w H:SZ:GSp was significantly (PLSD; P<0.05) greater than that of mussels fed an equal ration (by dry weight) of living Tahitian Isochrysis galbana.