Effect of feed concentrations on larval growth, survival and development of Holothuria ( Theelothuria) spinifera Thee1

The results of the study to standardize the larval feeding regime, for the mass production of sea cucumber juveniles through hatchery system are presented.' Auricularia larvae after 48 hours of fertilization obtained from the induced spawning of Holothuria spinifera were used for the experiment to ascertain the effect of feed concentration on larval quality, growth, survival and development. The flagellate Isochrysis galbana at O,1,2,4,and 8 x 04cells/ml were provided as the feed for a period of ten days. The growth rate of the larvae was more or less similar in 1 x lo4 and 2 x lo4 cells/ml. However the percentage of survival, rate of stomach growth, percentage of late auricularia developed and the occurrence of normal symmetrical shape indicated that 2 x 104cells/ml as the optimum larval feed concentration for the species