Effects of Two Different Macroalgae (Ulva lactuca and Jania rubens) Species on Growth and Survival of Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) as Feed Additive

Abstract

The effects of dietary supplementation of two different macroalgae Ulva lactuca and Jania rubens on the growth performance, survival and feed conversion ratio of juvenile red swamp crayfish juvenile (Procambarus clarkii) were investigated. Red swamp crayfish with an average total length of 56.2±6.67 mm and an average weight of 3.77±0.2 g were placed at tanks (10 crayfish at each tank) and offered diets 8 weeks. Different levels of macroalgae were added to commercial sea bass feed, and no seaweed was used as a control group. It was observed that crayfish fed with 10% feed had higher growth performance (in terms of length and weight) than those fed with 15% diet and control group (P<0.05). The lowest feed conversion rate was observed in juvenile crayfish fed with 15% feed (P<0.05). The highest survival rate was 50.0% at group fed with 15% feed, followed by 46.66% (control group) and 43.33% (10% diet groups), respectively. This study showed that there was no statistical difference in survival rate among treatment groups (P>0.05). However, the frequency of molting was mostly observed in the group fed with 10% diet. Therefore, the results showed that seaweed (Ulva lactuca and Jania rubens) could be used as a supplement for red swamp crayfish diet (Procambarus clarkii) at 10% to improve growth performance with no adverse effects on feed efficiency or survival rate.