Effect of different crude protein and crude energy levels in diet of broodstock success and larval development of Pantanal freshwater prawn Macrobrachium pantanalense

Abstract

The goal of this study was to establish the most suitable levels of crude protein and energy in the diet for Macrobrachium pantanalense broodstock. The aim was to determine the optimal nutritional requirements and evaluate any potential impact of these diets on reproductive factors, including offspring quality and larval development. Broodstocks were fed six different feeding regimes, each with two levels of crude protein (CP) (30% and 40%) and three levels of crude energy (CE) (3,000, 3,600, and 4,200 kcal/kg). Each regime had five replicates with 6 animals per experimental unit. The resistance of larvae to starvation was evaluated based on the broodstock feeding regimes, and larval development was assessed until metamorphosis to decapodid stage, also with 5 replicates and 6 larvae per experimental unit. The results showed that variable protein and energy crude levels were evaluated in breeders’ diet, being found that 30% protein level and 4,200 kcal/kg of energy promoted a higher fertility and larval production. Moreover, larvae resulting from breeders fed on this diet exhibited a mean survival of 8 days when starved, even being able to reach the third zoeal stage under this condition. When cultured to metamorphosis, larvae that exhibited higher survival and a higher metamorphosis synchronism were the ones obtained from breeders fed with a 40% protein level and 3,600 kcal/kg energy crude level (CP:CE) diet. The highest growth values were obtained from whose parental broodstock was fed with a 30% protein level and 4,200 kcal/kg diet.