Feeds and Feeding Schedules for Indoor Nursery Culture of Postlarval Freshwater Prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii1

Abstract

AbstractPotential feeds, feeding schedules, and feed supplements for growing M. rosenbergii postlarvae to a juvenile size of 0.5 g were evaluated. Postlarvae were grown in 69 L aquaria for 6 to 9 weeks at densities of 1.3 or 2.0/L at a water temperature of 28 C. An experimental diet (HFX‐EXD‐86X) and four commercially available feeds (Purina Trout Chow No. 2, Silver Cup Fish Feed—Salmon No. 3, Zeigler Shrimp Post Larval Granules No. 3, and MFC Clover Brand 38% Catfish Fingerling Crumbles) were tested. Prawns fed Purina Trout Chow No. 2 had the best survival and yield. Four feeding schedules were then evaluated with Purina Trout Chow No. 2 as the only food: once daily (at 1600 h), twice daily (at 0800 and 1600 h), twice daily (at 0800 and 2000 h), and three times daily (at 0800, 1600, and 2400 h). Prawns in the oncedaily treatment exhibited the best survival, final weight, yield, and food conversion ratio. A oncedaily frequency was then used to test the effects of supplementing the Purina diet with beef liver, squid mantle, codfish muscle, or cooked (scrambled) chicken egg, at 20% dry weight of the total diet. Prawns fed the beef liver supplement had the best final weight and yield.