Effects of feeding strategy on larval development of the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum

Abstract

-Effects of four feeding regimes on the development and feed intake, survival, productivity, and growth of Macrobrachium amazonicum larvae were investigated. Larvae were fed from stage II to IX, as follows: Artemia nauplii + inert diet during the entire larval cycle (AIn); Artemia nauplii for the entire larval cycle + inert diet from stage V onward (A/AIn); Artemia nauplii until stage IV + inert diet from stage IV onward (A/In); and only inert diet for the entire larval cycle (In). Each feeding regime (treatment) was carried out in three 50-L rectangular black tanks, set up in a recirculating system, filled with 10 salinity brackish water, and stocked at 81.8±0.8 larvae/L. The larval stage index, occurrence of Artemia nauplii and/or inert feed into the digestive tract, survival (number of larvae and postlarvae), productivity (number of postlarvae/L), and weight gain (mg) were evaluated. Larval development was similar in treatments AIn, A/Ain, and A/In, but was delayed in treatment In. Artemia nauplii were ingested by larvae irrespective of developmental stages, while inert feed was ingested only from stage III onward. Survival and productivity were higher in treatment AIn and decreased according to the number of days larvae were fed Artemia nauplii. Macrobrachium amazonicum larvae are omnivorous and polytrophic, but live feed is essential in the first stages and act as a complementary diet in the last half of larval cycle. There is a potential for inert diet to replace Artemia in the last phase of development if the nutrient composition matches larvae requirements. The combination of Artemia nauplii and inert diet during all larval cycles is the best management to maximize productivity.

Metal concentrations (Fe and Zn) in Macrobrachium amazonicum from Brazilian Amazon rivers

“…Macrobrachium amazonicum, on the other hand, is a native species that exhibits favorable attributes for captive production. These include high fecundity, a relatively short production cycle, the capacity to endure high densities (up to 80 shrimp per square meter), robustness, and meat that is both firmer and more flavorful than the exotic M. rosenbergii (Araújo et al, 2017;Taddei et al, 2017;Heldt et al, 2019;Brazão et al, 2022;Perroca et al, 2022). M. amazonicum enjoys a widespread distribution in the lower Amazon River regions of Amapá and Pará and does not pose a risk of ecosystem invasion, being native to these areas (Bentes et al, 2011;Da Silva et al, 2016).…”

Yolk resorption and larval development in the brackish river prawn Macrobrachium macrobrachion under laboratory conditions: Perspectives for aquaculture

“…Larvae of the genus Macrobrachium develop in distinct stages, exhibiting different morpho-physiological and behavioral characteristics with a change in food requirements during this development (Araujo & Valenti, 2017).…”

“…Larvae of the genus Macrobrachium develop in distinct stages, exhibiting different morpho‐physiological and behavioral characteristics with a change in food requirements during this development (Araujo & Valenti, 2017). Larval development is the most critical phase in decapod crustaceans because high mortality rates are recorded, especially at certain larval stages, whether in a natural or controlled environment (Anger & Hayd, 2009; Yamasaki‐Granados et al, 2012).…”

FOOD ACCEPTANCE IN DIFFERENT LARVAL STAGES OF <i>Macrobrachium carcinus</i>

“…The larvae of M. carcinus are small and extremely fragile during early developmental stages when they are passing through various phases with quite different morphological characteristics. Consideration of the acceptance of food throughout larval development of this species is fundamental to establishing a specific and appropriate feeding regime for successful larviculture (Loya-Javellana, 1989;Araujo and Valenti, 2017).…”