Preliminary studies on growth and survival of Penaeus japonicus postlarvae fed with Tapes and commercial formula feeds

Growth and survival of P. japonicus postlarvae was studied using Tapes philippinarum and commercial formula feeds. After a 28-day feeding period, the highest survival rate of 100% was obtained in prawns receiving Diet-B, followed by those on Tapes Kyowa Hakko shrimp meal with survival rates of 80 and 76.7%, respectively. The lowest survival rate of 48.3% was obtained among postlarvae fed with squid meal. In this batch cannibalism was observed which resulted in low survival. Growth was highest in the postlarvae fed with Kyowa Hakko and mysid feeds. Diet-B gave a slightly lower weight increase but gave similar gain in length. The composition of the artificial diet, Diet-B, and growth and survival rates are tabulated.