Effects of polychaete based diets on growth and survival of Tiger shrimp juveniles

This study is designed to assess viability of Polychaete worms (Marphysa mossambica) species as potential alternative animal protein ingredients in formulation of juvenile tiger prawn (Peneaus monodon) feeds in Kenya. Specifically the study seeks to determine the effects of M. mossambica based diets on growth and survival of juvenile P. monodon. Fresh water shrimps (Caradina nilotica), used as animal protein ingredient in formulation of feeds for juveniles of P. monodon will be substituted with varying levels of M. mossambica. Four diets will be formulated with 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement of C. nilotica with M. mossambicca. A control diet with no M. Mossambica content will be prepared. Also, 15 hapa nets of 2m3 each will be used as the culture units in a tidal pond. Equal number of prawns will be stocked per unit. Prepared diets will be administered in triplicates. Sampling will be done after every 14 days coinciding with spring tide for three months to determine growth and survival rate. Key water quality parameters including Dissolved oxygen, PH, salinity and temperature will be monitored every sampling. The data obtained will be analyzed using Minitab statistical package in order to determine potential of cultured M. mossambica species as alternative animal protein ingredients in formulation of P. monodon juvenile feeds. It is expected that the study will provide information for improving growth and survival of juveniles of P. monodon through polychaete based diets.