Use of rotifers-fed microalgal paste in the seed production of Mangrove crab Scylla serrata in the Philippines

Influence of Live-Food (Brachionus rotundiformis) Density at First-Feeding on Digestive Enzyme Activities in Newly Hatched (Zoea I) Larvae of the Mud Crab, Scylla serrata

“…Rotifers will likely see continued use as a first-feed in hatchery production of Scylla serrata because they are readily accepted (Baylon et al 2004, Serrano 2012), offer potential for enrichment (Cruz-Huervana et al 2022) and can be mass cultured with relative ease (Southgate 2019). This study provided clear evidence that rotifer density can significantly influence nutrient utilization, expressed through enzyme activities, in larvae of S. serrata from first-feeding.…”

“…Unsuitable foods and inappropriate feeding regimes are considered partly responsible for limited and inconsistent hatchery production (Keenan 1999, Holme et al 2009, Waiho et al 2018. In recent decades, progress has been made toward identifying suitable foods and appropriate feeding protocols (Quinitio et al 1999, Zeng & Li 1999, Li & Zeng 2001, Suprayudi et al 2002, Jantrarotai et al 2004, Ruscoe et al 2004, Davis et al 2005, Maheswarudu et al 2007, Baylon 2009, Serrano & Traifalgar 2012, Cruz-Huervana et al 2022), but improved targeting of diets to match the digestive physiology of larvae remains a major research focus (Holme et al 2009, Waiho et al 2018. Compared with later zoeal stages (Zoea IV-V) of mud crabs, which can accept a wide range of food types of varying particle size (Genodepa et al 2004a, Holme et al 2006, the first zoeal stage has a rudimentary feeding apparatus and alimentary tract (Li & Li 1998, Jantrarotai et al 2005, Lumasag et al 2007) that greatly limits ingestive (Genodepa et al 2004b, Maheswarudu et al 2007 and digestive (Tang et al 1995, Serrano 2012, Serrano & Traifalgar 2012, Khoa et al 2019 capabilities.…”

“…Although survival and growth have traditionally been used as indicators of suitable foods and feeding protocols during larval rearing (Quinitio et al 1999, Zeng & Li 1999, Li & Zeng 2001, Suprayudi et al 2002, Jantrarotai et al 2004, Ruscoe et al 2004, Davis et al 2005, Baylon 2009, Cruz-Huervana et al 2022, activities of enzymes critical to digestion are other potentially useful indicators (Serrano & Traifalgar 2012). In newly hatched (Zoea I) larvae of Scylla serrata, the activities of trypsinlike proteases, nonspecific esterases, and α-amylase were recently shown to associate closely with the presence or absence of food during variable delays to first-feeding and subsequent starvation (Genodepa et al 2024).…”