Growth rate of the Philippine abalone, Haliotis asinina fed an artificial diet and macroalgae

The growth rate of Haliotis asinina fed three diets was evaluated over a 120 day period. Juveniles fed the red alga Gracilariopsis heteroclada and an artificial diet grew faster in terms of both total body weight and shell length than those fed the red alga Kappaphycus aluarezii. Juveniles fed the artificial diet produced more weight than those fed G. heteroclada for the first 90 days, but abalone fed G. heteraclada grew faster from Day 105 onwards. In terms of shell length, the artificial diet produced faster growth rates than G. heteroclada for the first 75 days but from Day 90 onwards, faster growth rates were observed in juveniles fed G. heteroclada. Reductions in daily growth rates of juveniles during the latter phase of the growth trial were attributed to channelling of energy into gonad development. G. heteroclada promoted high growth rates over a long-term period (360 days) and is considered to be best suited for abalone farming in the Philippines.