Partial replacement of fishmeal with Chaetomorpha algae improves feed utilization, survival, biochemical composition, and fatty acids profile of farmed shrimp Penaeus monodon post larvae

Shrimp are economically important candidates for aquaculture in Tanzania; however, their farming is constrained by reliance on costly feeds, attributed to the use of fishmeal as main ingredient. This study determined efficacy green algae Chaetomorpha sp. survival, feed utilization, biochemical composition, and fatty acids profile cultured Penaeus monodon a potential candidate replacing fishmeal. Four experimental F0, F1, F2, F3, denoting replacement levels 0, 10, 20, 30%, respectively, were made. Post-larvae weighing 0.49 ± 0.06 g stocked at 15 individuals/m3 2 m3 hapa nets three replicates reared 45 days. The F2 treatment showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival rate than other treatments. F3 improved growth with exhibiting highest weight gain (8.02 0.26 g) compared composition varied (p<0.05) across levels. demonstrated muscle somatic index (MSI) 71.77 2.32%. exhibited crude protein (CP) Crude fat (CF) F0 treatments F1 proportions saturated (SFA) In contrast, had high polyunsaturated (PUFA). 20 30% feeds farmed monodon. However, resulted but lowest rates. Thus, 20% level, suitable partial P. feeds.