| This study investigated the effects of proteins (fishmeal and soybean), lipids (corn, linseed, and menhaden oils), minerals (modified Bernhart-Tomerelli and Shur-Gain salt mixes), and pigment (beta-carotene) over a range of concentrations in moist-extruded prepared diets on the somatic growth performance of juvenile green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, in five feeding experiments (ranging in length from 159 to 300 days). The growth of juveniles (ranging in size from 1 mm to 20 mm initial test diameter (TD)) fed prepared diets was compared to the growth of similar sized juveniles fed kelp, Laminaria longicruris. The data indicate there were no differences in the nutritional needs of the various sizes of juvenile green sea urchins used in this study. Hence, nutritionally balanced prepared diets can be used for a wide size range of green sea urchins to increase juvenile test growth while maintaining health and survival. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
