The effect of dietary-Spirulina platensis algae powder ingrowth performance and Survival rates of Palaemon elegans shrimp post larvae

Optimal aquaculture requires various criteria, among which the choice of food with the necessary potential is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of Spirulina platensis algae powder in shrimp diet on growth indices and survival percentage of Palaemon elegans shrimp larvae during a four week- culture period. The mean initial weight and length of post larvae were 0.0132 (g) and 6.88 (mm). Four diets consisting of the spirulina algae powder were prepared and substituted at 3, 5, 8 and 10 percent in a base shrimp diet as treatments and a control diet was without spirulina algae powder. Growth indices in the control treatment (without algae) had the lowest rate and was significantly different from treatments of 5, 3, 8 and 10 percent of spirulina algae (P<0/05). There was a significant difference between control and treatment fed with pure algae only in increasing total biomass (P<0/05). There was no significant difference between the group fed with pure algae and 3 percent treatment in the final length and increase of length (P<0/05), but the differences were significant in other growth indices with other treatments (P<0/05). The best growth indices were observed when shrimps were fed by 5 percent algae powder (P<0/05). in comparison between treatments of 3, 8 and 10 percent algae powder, the only significant difference observed in the final length, and an increase in length was detected in treatments 3 and 10 percent algae powder (P<0/05). Also, the survival rate in control treatment was significantly lower than other treatments (P<0/05). In general, based on the results of this study, the diet containing the 5 percent of spirulina algae powder showed the best results in the growth and survival of P. elegans shrimp post larvae.