Author(s): N. Felix, R. Alan Brindo

Abstract: Raw and fermented seaweed, Padina tetrastomatica were incorporated at three levels, 10 %, 20 % and 30 % in diets of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In 15 days digestibility experiment, among the raw and fermented seaweed incorporated diets, the freshwater prawn fed with fermented Padina tetrastomatica (FP) at 10 %, showed maximum apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (89.05 %), APD (89.61 %) and ALD (89.49 %). In the 45 days growth experiment, prawn fed with FP at 10 % showed maximum mean weight gain (3.0430g), SGR (2.111), mean feed intake (4.4g), and PER (1.2711). The best FCR value of 1.3145 was observed in prawn fed with FP at 10% incorporation. Significant differences (P<0.05) was observed in the growth parameters between treatments. The whole body composition of prawns fed the raw and fermented seaweeds incorporated diets did not show anyrnvariations in moisture, protein, lipid and ash. The results of the study suggest that the raw P. tetrastomatica could be incorporated in freshwater prawn diets up to 10 % and 20 % respectively and fermented P. tetrastomatica could be incorporated up to 30 % level without compromising growth, digestibility and flesh quality. The present investigation has demonstrated that P. tetrastomatica can be a potential feed ingredient in the juveniles of freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii.

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