Abstract

Two experiments have been conducted at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution to improve the success of rearing juvenile spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus from pueruli to market size. The effect of feeding frequency and ration level was examined to determine whether multiple daily feeding would stimulate growth of cultured juvenile spiny lobsters (5-10 mm CL), P. argus. Lobsters were either fed 100% BW/day in the evening, coinciding with the change from light to dark, or 50% BW day-1 twice, in the morning and evening, also coinciding with light transitions. Feeding lobsters to excess once daily resulted in significantly greater weight and carapace length increases during the 28 day experiment, compared with the same ration divided between two feeding times. Survival rates between treatments were not significantly different during the trial. Seven potential diets were compared and evaluated for early juvenile P. argus (5 - 7 mm carapace length) based on two main criteria: growth rate and feed conversion ratio/efficiency. Results demonstrated a seafood based juvenile formulation resulted in the fastest growth rates (3.49% weight gain and 0.90% carapace length increase over a 28 day period). These excellent growth rates were also reflected by a low feed conversion rate (3.04) and high feed conversion efficiency (32.95%) for this formulated feed. The implications for P. argus culture are that feeding a high-ration once daily, at the onset of dusk will improve growth and survival rates. Although further nutritional refinement is necessary, a suitable baseline diet which produces good growth in juvenile lobsters now exists. The results from these experiments have significant implications for the possible expansion of juvenile spiny lobster growout.

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