Aerated sea mud is beneficial for post-nursery culture of early juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

Abstract

The incorporation of sea mud into formulated diets could improve sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) growth in aquaculture systems. This study focused on the activation of sea mud by aeration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days (marked as A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5) and dealt with the effects of the processing time on growth, feeding rate, and other physiological parameters of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Activation time greatly affected the proportion of potential probiotics present in sea mud. The growth, survival, ingestion rate, digestibility, and ammonia-nitrogen production of sea cucumbers increased as the percentage of probiotics increased. The growth and survival rates of juvenile sea cucumbers fed diet A1 were significantly higher than those in all other groups. These results suggest that it is beneficial to activate natural sea mud for 1 day prior to inclusion in the diet of post-nursery juvenile sea cucumbers. The findings should be helpful in the development of environmentally sustainable and healthy culture technique for holothurians.

Evaluation of the growth and survival rate of the Caribbean Sea cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus (Selenka, 1867), early juveniles produced in captivity

“…SGR is significantly lower for temperate sea cucumber species, with an SGR of 3.2%/day and 1.19–2.48%/day for A. japonicus (mean initial weight 0.05 g) (Xie et al, ) and 0.3–1.1%/day for A. mollis (0.11–0.43 g) early juveniles when fed on natural food sources, the WG being proportionately higher in small than large early juveniles (Zamora et al, ). In addition, A. japonicus individuals of different initial weights (7 and 22 g) exhibit a lower SGR than those obtained in the present work, being less than 1.6%/day in both studies, with a maximal WG of 35.45 and 55.9%, respectively (Wang et al, ; Xia, Ren, Wang, Sun, & Zhang, ).…”

“…These results agree with previous studies for these early stages, where size, in addition to the food source and initial density, affects survival. Survival ranges of 66–83% and 88–98% were found for A. mollis (Zamora et al, ) and between 77 and 100% for early A. japonicus (Xie et al, ), both depending on the type of food and being the highest values for the largest individuals. Highly variable SR ranges were obtained in early H. scabra juveniles depending on juvenile size (52–100%) and density (5.9–15.7%) being greater in larger individuals and at lower densities (Battaglene et al, ).…”

“…Some data on growth and survival of early sea cucumber juveniles (<1 g and <1 cm) under controlled conditions have been reported for experimental laboratory‐produced species, including Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833; Battaglene, Seymour, & Ramofafia, ), Isostichopus fuscus (Ludwig, 1875; Hamel, Hidalgo, & Mercier, ), Holothuria spinifera (Théel, 1886; Asha & Muthiah, ), and Athyonidium chilensis (Semper, 1868; Guisado et al, ), and also for hatchery‐produced species, such as Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867; Xie, Zhang, Liu, Zhang, & Yang, ) and Australostichopus mollis (Hutton, 1872; Zamora, Maxwell, & Jeffs, ). Generally, these studies indicate that, after settlement, there is high mortality and rapid growth, which decreases as individual size increases and varies according to the species and culture conditions.…”

Effects of kelp residues fermented with probiotics on the culture of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

“…The ratio of different feed to sea mud was 1:2 (Xie, Zhang, Liu, Zhang, & Yang, 2016). A group was fed with formulated feed and sea mud up to their satiation, based on the individual's weight and growth state, and the other was fed with fermented feed and sea mud.…”

“…A group was fed with formulated feed and sea mud up to their satiation, based on the individual's weight and growth state, and the other was fed with fermented feed and sea mud. The ratio of different feed to sea mud was 1:2 (Xie, Zhang, Liu, Zhang, & Yang, 2016). The remaining uneaten feed and faeces were syphoned before changing water.…”