Effects of Diet and Feeding Regime on Growth and Survival of the Red AbaloneHaliotis rufescensin Land-Based Tank Cultures in Southern Chile

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effects of different diets on the survival, growth, food consumption, and conversion factor of juvenile red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) under tank culture conditions were investigated. The algae Macrocystis pyrifera, Gracilaria chilensis, and Sarcothalia crispata were administered as mixed diets, mono diets, or in rotation changing weekly. Additionally, an artificial pellet feed (ABfeed) was administered alone using a feeder or as part of a mixed diet. The experiment lasted 10 mo. The 100% S. crispata diet was suspended after 4mo due to low survival rates (92.1% ± 3.4%). Treatments had significant effects (P < 0.05) on survival, growth, food consumption, and conversion factor. The lowest survival rate was obtained using the artificial feed with a feeder (94.2% ± 4.3%) and the highest with a mix of M. pyrifera and artificial feed (99.0% ± 0.8%). The highest growth rates were obtained with the mix of M. pyrifera, G. chilensis, and artificial feed (0.044 ± 0.007 mm/day per 0.054 ± 0.005 g/day) ...