Studies on the effect of compounded feeds on the growth of juvenile Banana prawn Penaeus merguiensis

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of compounded feeds on growth of juveniles (3 to 4 cm) of the Banana prawn Penaeus merguiensis. In all, seven diets were prepared with different combinations of locally available ingredients. Diascure, a local tuber was used as source of carbohydrate and vitamin mineral mixture (1%) was used in all the diets. The results indicated that diets with groundnut cake (diet 2, 3, 5 and 7) produced better survival and growth. In diets 4 and 6 growth was good but survival was very poor. Amongst all the diets, diet 7 produced significantly better growth, survival and food conversion ratio.