MANGROVE ASSOCIATE BASED SHRIMP FEED: AN INNOVATION IN THE AQUACULTURE SECTOR

The traditional method of shrimp culture is a common practice in Indian Sundarbans which is done without any sound scientific back-up, proper feed, and water quality management. The shrimp farmers use a traditional feed of animal origin that often results in deterioration of water quality and disease outbreaks in cultured species. The present paper highlights the effect of the total replacement of animal ingredients in shrimp feed with floral ingredients on water quality and shrimp health. Weight gain, condition index, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, body pigmentation (astaxanthin level) were analyzed in shrimps along with pond water quality. Higher condition index (C.I.) values, survival rate, and gain in shrimp weight were observed in the experimental pond (E) compared to the control pond (C). Low FCR values were observed in the experimental pond than in the control pond. Astaxanthin values in shrimps of the experimental pond were also higher than the control pond which points towards Suaeda maritima as the source of carotenoid in the shrimp tissue.