USE OF A NEW SPRAY-DRIED ALGAL PRODUCT IN PENAEID LARVICULTURE

Heterophically cultured, spray-dried Tetraselmis suecica was fed to Penaeus vannamei larvae both as a complete and a partial replacement for live algae. The dry algae were found to be a suitable replacement for live algae at up to 75% of the live algal density in dietary regimes consisting of 100 000 cells/ml Chaetoceros gracile plus 30 000 cells/ml T. chuii. In a complete dietary regime, which included the above-mentioned live algae and Artemia, replacing 66% of the live algal density with dry T. suecica did not significantly reduce survival, metamorphic rate or growth (P < 0.01) compared to the control fed 100% live algae and Artemia. Spray-dried T. suecica may not be able to completely replace live algae. However, its use as a partial replacement in penaeid larviculture should be considered. © 1990.