Effects of DHA content in live food enrichment on growth and survival rate of malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different DHA enrichment levels (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ppm) in live feeds on the growth and survival of red snapper larvae. Newly hatched red snapper larvae were reared in 500-Ler composite tanks at a density of 30 larvae per Ler. The larvae were fed DHA-enriched live feeds (A1 DHA Selco), consisting of small-type luân trùngs (Brachionus plicatilis) from 2 to 17 days after hatching, and from day 14 onward, a combination of luân trùngs and Artemia metanauplii until 28 days of age. The experiment was carried out in triplicate over a 28-day period. The results showed that DHA enrichment levels significantly affected the growth and survival of red snapper larvae (P < 0.05). Within the range of 50-200 mg/L DHA added to live food, a higher enrichment concentration would result in a higher growth rate and survival rate of the larvae. A DHA level of 200 ppm was determined to be optimal for enriching live feeds for red snapper larvae.
