The use of fresh food supplements to ameliorate moulting difficulties in lobsters, Homarus gammarus (L.), destined for release to the sea

Abstract

. Compounded diets given to juvenile lobsters, Homarus gammarus (L.), during the critical post-settlement phase of their development induced moulting abnormalities that resulted in limb loss and deformity. These potentially lethal effects were minimized, and in some cases overcome, through the provision of a supplement of natural food given just once or twice each week. The degree to which a poor diet could be improved was proportional to the quality and frequency of supplementation. Both moult increment and frequency were affected by dietary regime. A quantitative index of general health was derived from selected physical attributes exhibited by juvenile lobsters, which was useful in assessing a combination of responses to different diets and supplements.