Suitability of three red macroalgae as a feed for the abalone Haliotis tuberculata coccinea Reeve

Abstract

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the suitability of three red algae, Hynea spinella, Hynea musciformis and Gracilaria cornea, as potential feed for the culture of juvenile abalone, Haliotis tuberculata coccinea R. Seaweeds were reared in a biofiltration unit with fishpond waste water effluents. The three algal species were found to contain high protein contents which would be related to its production under the high nitrogen culture conditions of the biofilter system. Protein and carbohydrate contents were highest in H. musciformis and lowest in G. cornea. Survival rates of juvenile abalone were very good, regardless of the algae fed. Feed intake of H. spinella was highest, followed by H. musciformis. Growth rates of abalone were within the range obtained under commercial conditions, final shell length and weight being significantly highest in animals fed H. spinella and lowest in those fed G. cornea. Feeding G. cornea lead to the lowest growth performance due to the lowest feed intake, whereas feed conversion ratios were significantly highest for H. musciformis and protein efficiency ratios were higher for both H. spinella and G. cornea. This study suggested the good potential of any of the three red seaweeds testedsuccessfully produced by the biofilter system, their nutritional composition being similar to other macroalgae used as feed for abalone and matching the abalone protein and lipid requirements-hence promoting growth and survival. Nevertheless, the biofilter produced macroalgae H. spinella showed the highest dietary value for juvenile of H. tuberculata coccinea.

Effects of increased CO2 levels on growth, photosynthesis, ammonium uptake and cell composition in the macroalga Hypnea spinella (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

“…Biomass produced in these biofilters has shown a high dietary value for the abalone Haliotis tuberculata coccinea, a species of potential importance for mariculture in the Canary Islands (Viera et al 2005). …”

Suitability of two seaweeds, Gracilaria lemaneiformis and Sargassum pallidum, as feed for the abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino

“…A number of studies have evaluated the feasibility of using other red macroalgae, including G. gracilis, Gracilaria cornea, and Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Li et al, 2007;Naidoo et al, 2006;Viera et al, 2005). Different diets result in differential survival (Daume et al, 2003) and growth rate (Bautista-Teruel et al, 2003;Boarder and Shpigel, 2001;Britz, 1996;Guzmán and Viana, 1998;Leighton, 1974;Shpigel et al, 1999).…”

Fatty acid composition of juvenile abalone (Haliotis tuberculata coccinea) fed formulated diets containing various n3 HUFA levels

“…In southern Europe, for example, the Canarian abalone Haliotis tuberculata coccinea R. has been harvested for several years without considering its sustainability ( fig. 1; Viera et al 2005). Today there is an increasing interest to culture this species to satisfy local and international markets.…”

“…1; Viera et al 2005). Actualmente existe un creciente interés en el cultivo de esta especie para satisfacer mercados locales e internacionales.…”