Exploring the Potential of Gotu Kola Powder and Tea Seed Powder in Improving Production Efficiency of Giant Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Larvae
Taguemount, R.1*, Pratoomyot, J.2, Shinn, A.P.3,4, Waiho, K.5 & Rasid, R.1*

1 Faculty of Fisheries & Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia-
2 Institute of Marine Sciences, Burapha University, 20131 Chonburi, Thailand-
3 INVE (Thailand) Ltd, 20000 Chonburi, Thailand-
4 Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, QLD4811 Townsville, Australia-
5 Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is economically significant in Southeast Asia but optimizing its larval survival and growth rates is challenging.
Objective: Investigate the effect of including Gotu kola powder (GKP) in the diets of M. rosenbergii larvae and larval immersion in tea seed powder (TSP) solution on moulting, survival rate, growth performance, and production parameters.
Method: Five diets were prepared with different concentrations of GKP (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%) and fed to M. rosenbergii larvae from stage V onward, while larvae were immersed in water containing 8.065 mg/L TSP solution between stage V and VII. The survival rate, growth performance, and production parameters were measured and compared among the different diets. A completed randomised design with three replications was applied.
Finding: The study found that feeding larvae with diets containing 0.2% GKP resulted in the highest mean survival and production rates, as well as a higher metamorphosis rate and a shorter time to reach the first post-larvae. There was no significant difference in survival, TL, average production, metamorphosis rate, and rearing period between larvae fed with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% GKP and the control group. A higher concentration of GKP did not further improve growth or survival rates. TSP did not significantly shorten the time of larval passage from stage V to stage VII.
Conclusion: GKP and TSP show potential as alternative additives in M. rosenbergii larvae diets, but further research is needed for optimal inclusion and product quality.

Keywords: Keywords Gotu Kola Powder, Tea Seed Powder, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, larvae, aquaculture, growth performance, survival rate, metamorphosis rate, production parameters, feeding strategies.

Topic: Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries