The impact of fresh and artificial diet on growth and survival rate of spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus reared in floating net cage

Abstract

Some research found that the growth of lobster was higher when fed with fresh diet than artificial diet. Therefore, the growth of lobster that is fed with combination of fresh and artificial diets need to be observed. This study aimed to evaluate different kinds of feed and its combination on growth and survival rate of spiny lobster Panulirus homarus. This research was designed with three treatments and three replicates, namely: lobster fed with fresh diet (A), lobster fed with artificial diet (dry pellet) (B), and lobster fed with combination of fresh and artificial diets (C). Lobsters with an average weight 100.30 ±0.79 g were reared in floating net cage with dimension 2×2×2 m3 at density 40 lobsters/cage. Lobsters were fed twice a day at 08.30 am and 03.30 pm. Fresh diets that were given contained fresh fish, shrimp, crabs and mussels (3:1:1:1). The observation was conducted for 18 weeks. Results of the experiment were lobsters fed with fresh diets (A) and combination of fresh and artificial diets (C) gave higher specific growth rate (0.62±0.03 %/day and 0.61±0.03 %/day) than lobster fed with artificial diets (B) (0.33±0.01 %/day). There were not significantly differences in survival rate of lobster (p<0.05).