Effect of prey density on feeding rates during larval rearing of Palaemon serratus Pennant (Crustacea: Palaemonidae)

Abstract

Ingestion rates of Artemia nauplii by Palaemon serratus larvae at different food levels and at two temperatures were determined. Results show higher food consumption at 25° than at 20°C. Ingestion rate increases with increasing food density within the range tested (1–20 nauplii·ml −1) for all larval stages. Despite a plateau found between zoea III and zoea V–VI, ingestion increased about 1.8 – 2.8 times from zoea I to zoea VII–IX, depending on temperature and food density. The gross growth efficiency for the total larval development in cultures with a mean food density of 5 nauplii·ml −1 was similar (≅ 25%) at 20° and 25°C.