Larval survival of Lifopenaeus vannamei (Boone) fed Chaetoceros muelleri produced with agricultural fertilizers

Abstract

Larval survival of Litopenaeus vannamei fed Chaetoceros muelleri produced with agricultural fertilizers and f/2 medium (control) was compared. The microalgae were cultivated in natural sea water fertilized with 36.8 mg L-1 N-NP4NO3 and 3.5 mg L-1 P-P2O5 as a substitute for nitrogen and phosphorus in the f/2 medium. Microalgal concentration during feeding of nauplius(1) stages to protozoea(III) was maintained at a density of 100-150 x 10(3) cells mL(-1). From mysis(1) to postlarvae(1) stages, Artemia franciscana nauplii were the only source of food. Average growth of C. muelleri with agricultural fertilizers was greater and significant (P < 0.05) with respect to the control on days 2, 3 and 4 of the culture. however, on day 5, there was no significant difference in the cellular density. Survival of the larvae of the mysis, stage fed C. muelleri produced with agricultural fertilizers and f/2 medium was 69\% and 77.5\% respectively, and showed significant differences (P < 0.05). However, survival at the postlarvae, stage in both treatments (60.1\% and 65.6\%) was not significantly different. We conclude that the use of nutrients from agricultural fertilizer as a substitute for nitrogen and phosphorus in the f/2 medium constitutes a viable alternative for the culture of C. muelleri as food for larvae of L, vannamei.