Use of the microalgaNannochloropsis occulatain the rearing of newborn longsnout seahorseHippocampus reidi(Syngnathidae) juveniles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microalgae on the rearing of newborn juveniles of the longsnout seahorse, Hippocampus reidi. Two treatments in three replicates were tested over a 15-day period: with and without the addition of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata at a concentration of 2.02 AE 0.44 9 10 6 cells mL À1 . At each replicate, beginning on the second day of life, 120 H. reidi juveniles (stocking density of 3 ind L À1 ) were fed the offspring of the benthic copepod Tisbe biminiensis (100 copepod cm À2 ) together with newly hatched Artemia nauplii (3.8 mL À1 ). From the sixth day of life, enriched Artemia metanauplii replaced newly hatched Artemia nauplii. After 15 days, the H. reidi individuals were counted, measured and weighed. Mean survival was significantly greater in the microalgae treatment (76.42 AE 5.07%) than in the treatment with no microalgae (25.44 AE 6.91%). Moreover, total length, height and dry weight were significantly larger in the microalgae treatment. Thus, the addition of microalgae increases the growth and survival of H. reidi juveniles fed T. biminiensis and Artemia. The higher growth and survival of H. reidi juveniles was not related to the larger ingestion rates but probably to the nutritional improvement of the live feeds or to the probiotic effect. The protocol developed for rearing H. reidi juveniles resulted in a high survival, and represents an advance in the farming of this species.

Potential Industrial Applications and Commercialization of Microalgae in the Functional Food and Feed Industries: A Short Review

“…For instance, inclusion of Nannochloropsis oculata in the diet of seahorse ( Hippocampus reidi ), or Chaetoceros sp., Pavlova sp., and Isochrysis sp. (as such, or combined with each other) in the diet of oyster ( Pinctada margaritifera ) improved survival by reducing the viable count of bacterial pathogens [129,130]. Neyrinck et al studied the potential hepatoprotective effect of Spirulina sp.…”

Use of Artemia supplemented with exogenous digestive enzymes as sole live food increased survival and growth during the larviculture of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi

“…Three Artemia per mL were offered to the fish three times per day (10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.) to ensure the enzymatic quality of the food. The amount of brine shrimp offered to seahorses was based on the density used in the laboratory and in other studies with H. reidi larviculture (Hora, Joyeux, Guabiroba, & Tsuzuki, 2017;Hora et al, 2018;Mélo et al, 2016).…”

“…In order to meet global demand and ensure the sustainability of natural populations, H. reidi cultivation techniques have been improved throughout the years (Carvalho et al, ; Hora & Joyeux, ; Hora et al, ; Hora, Joyeux, & Tsuzuki, ; Mélo et al, ; Randazzo et al, ). Still, the main obstacles for the intensive production of H. reidi , as well as for other seahorses species, are the nutritional and feeding aspects, especially during the initial stages of cultivation (Blanco, Planas, & Moyano, ; Novelli et al, , ; Ofelio, Díaz, Radaelli, & Planas, ; Olivotto et al, ; Palma, Bureau, & Andrade, ; Randazzo et al, ; Sales et al, ; Souza‐Santos, Regis, Mélo, & Cavalli, ; Willadino et al, ).…”

External and internal morphology, and feeding ability of yellow seahorse Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker, 1852) early juveniles

“…provided and approximately 10 cells ml microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata was added to each tank (Mélo et al, 2016). All seahorses were fed a mixture of rotifers Brachionus sp., Artemia nauplii and enriched Artemia metanauplii (Easy DHA Selco, INVE Aquaculture, Thailand) following the method of Teh et al (2018).…”