EFFECT OF ARTEMIA NAUPLII DENSITY ON GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND SUVIVAL OF HARLEQUIN SHRIMP LARVAE (Hymenocera picta Dana, 1852)

Abstract

In this study, four densities of Artemia (1, 2, 3 and 4 nauplii/mL) were experimented in order to determine an appropriate feeding regime for larval rearing of harlequin shrimp. Newly hatched larvae, 10 individuals/L, were reared in 10 liter - composite tanks using the recirculating aquaculture system. Results showed that prey density had significant effects on growth, development, and survival of larvae. The larvae were fed at 3 nauplii/mL obtained a higher final total length at the stage of Zoea XI (5.35 mm) compared to those of 1 and 2 nauplii/mL (P < 0.05) but not significantly differred from the density of 4 nauplii/mL (5.17 mm; P > 0.05). The larval transferred rate at the prey density of 3 nauplii/mL (39.9%) was higher than other densities (10.5 - 34.0%) (P < 0.05). Larval survival rates at the density of 3 and 4 nauplii/mL (7.6 and 7.3%) were higher than those of 1 and 2 nauplii/mL (2.1 and 4.2%) (P < 0.05). From this study, it can be seen that harlequin shrimp larvae should be fed at the density of 3 nauplii/mL in order to attain rearing efficiency as well as optimize the amount of livefeed consumption.