Food handling efficiency and particle size selectivity by the southern brown shrimp penaeus subtilis fed a dry pelleted feed |
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Authors: | Alberto JP Nunes G Jay Parsons |
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Institution: | 1. Grupo de Estudos de Camar?o Marinho ‐ GECMAR, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar , Universidade Federal do Ceará , Av. da Aboli??o, 3207 Meireles, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60.165–081, Brazil Phone: (+85)242–6422 Fax: (+85)242–6422 E-mail: anunes@morgan.ucs.mun.ca.;2. Department of Biology , Memorial University of Newfoundland , St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada;3. Center for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, School of Fisheries , Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland , P.O. Box 4920, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1C 5R3, Canada |
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Abstract: | This study investigated the feed handling efficiency and size selectivity of four size groups of Penaeus subtilis fed three commercial feed particle sizes. Shrimp feeding behaviour was recorded with a video‐camera, installed below a glass aquarium, where one shrimp at a time was introduced and allowed to feed. A total of 163 specimens of P. subtilis were examined. Results indicated that over 59% of all food particles placed in the mouth by shrimp were completely or partially consumed, regardless of size. Large pellets however were less preferred than small ones. Manipulation capacity and capture success were also greater when shrimp were fed small particles. Shrimp size had no significant effect on manipulation efficiency, indicating that within the feed size range examined, food handling by juvenile shrimp was as efficient as adults. These results suggest that in aquaculture systems, the use of crumbles and broken pellets may be preferable to large pellets. |
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Keywords: | Penaeus subtilis food handling efficiency feed size selection formulated food feeding behaviour aquaculture |
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