Journal of Environmental Biology

Variation of growth and proximate composition in

Portunus pelagicus juveniles fed with selected feeds in

recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

S.M.S. Kohinoor, A. Arshad*, S.M.N. Amin, Mohd. S. Kamarudin and M.A. Sulaiman

Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: azizar.upm@gmail.com

Key words

Captive culture

Growth rate

Portunus pelagicus

Survival rate

Water quality

Publication Data

Paper received : 15.07.2017

Revised received : 20.10.2017

Re-revised received : 28.11.2017

Accepted : 28.12.2017?

Abstract

Aim: The experiment was conducted to determine the suitability of using scad fish, Acetes shrimp and common squid for the direct and indirect application as diets for the juvenile rearing of the blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus. ?    

Methodology: A total of 54 crab juveniles with an initial weight of 2.46 ?0.94 g were randomly stocked in triplicate at 6 crabs per 60 l tank (0.26 m?) experimental units and fed twice daily with three different types of feed namely scad fish, squid tissue and frozen Acetes shrimp for a period of 31 days. ?     

Results: At the end of the trail, ammonia and nitrite-nitrogen compound were significantly higher in Acetes shrimp fed group. It is found that final body weight (g) of P. pelagicus was significantly higher when fed with squid, however no significant differences were noticed between scad fish and Acetes shrimp fed groups. The whole body proximate composition was similar in all the diet fed individuals except the level of lipid which was higher in squid compared to scad fish and Acetes shrimp. Significantly (p<0.05) better food conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in juvenile crab fed with squid even though scad fish possessed the highest crude protein of 83.33%.

Interpretation: Overall, the results suggested that squid meal could be recommended for P. pelagicus juvenile culture. Hence, squid meal may be incorporated in crab artificial diet as protein source to attain better survival and growth.

Copyright ? 2018 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).