Post-larvae feeding strategies of Amazonia prawns (Macrobrachium amazonicum) - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v27i1.1243

Abstract

This study investigated practical feeding strategies for survival, growth and food conversion rate in Macrobrachium amazonicum post-larvae. The prawns were provided with food 1, 2, 4 and 8 times a day. The food amounts were 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320% of the prawns´ total weight, resulted from the amounts of 10, 20 and 40% in daily frequency. The weight gain was evaluated during the 20 days while the post-larvae were kept in net cages. Survival was always over 90%. Growth was affected only by the daily frequencies of feeding. Food offered 4 times a day increased body weight (only at the rate 40% food amount). Food conversion was affected by daily frequency of feeding and it was higher when the largest amount of food was offered. Feed competition and food stability in the water may be the reason for it. Thus, the best feeding regime should be 40% of biomass, 4 times a day