Effects of various microalgae on fatty acid composition and survival rate of the blue swimming crab <i>Portunus pelagicus</i> larvae

Abstract

Present study is to examine effect of various microalgae on Fatty Acid (FA) of <i>Portunus pelagicus</i> larvae. Larvae were subjected to five different treatments; T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. T1: rotifer and <i>Artemia</i> only; T2: rotifer, <i>Artemia</i> and <i>Chaetoceros</i> sp.; T3: rotifer, <i>Artemia</i> and <i>Chlorella</i> sp.; T4: rotifer, <i>Artemia</i> and <i>Isochrysis </i> sp. and T5: rotifer, <i>Artemia</i> and <i>Nannochloropsis</i> sp. Highest FA component in Zoea 3 was saturated FA group of T2 with concentration 26.06±26.23 mg/g. For monounsaturated FA group, highest FA component in Zoea 1 was T5 with concentration 9.88±0.34 mg/g. FA component in polyunsaturated FA group in Zoea 4, T4 with concentration 9.33±0.45 mg/g was highest. For survival rate, highest survival rate obtained from T4 with 10.21%±0.45. In this study, essential FA requirement in each stage of <i>P. pelagicus</i> larvae can be reveal. Species of microalgae suitable for larvae can be characterized and selected for hatchery purpose.