Evaluation of Fermented Mantis shrimp Incorporated in Feed on Growth Performance of Penaeus indicus Post Larvae

Mantis shrimp is available in large quantities as by catch and as it contains protein and chitin desirable for prawn feeds, the efficacy of its incorporation in shrimp feed was evaluated. Ten compounded feeds incorporating 20% - 100% of Mantis shrimp (Oratosquilla nepa), was fermented using B. licheniformis and Beauveria sp. containing 32% to 49% crude protein. This was fed to post larvae of P. indicus (initial average weight 0.19 g ± 0.06 g) for a period of 45 days. A significant (P< 0.05) increase in body weight was recorded in all the B. licheniformis treatment groups as compared to control post larvae. The group of post larvae maintained on the diet with 80% incorporation of mantis shrimp accorded the best growth in terms of average body weight (563.16%). The specific growth rates ranged between 1.47 (± 0.30) for the group fed with 20% Mantis shrimp feeds to as high as 2.38 (± 0.70) for the group fed with 60% Mantis shrimp supplemented feeds (P< 0.05). The FCR for these feeds ranged from 1.56 to 2.08 as compared to a FCR of 5.0 on the control feed (P< 0.05). Survival in all the treatment groups was in the range of 86% to 98% and was significantly different (P< 0.05) from that of the control.

Feeds containing 20% to 100% Mantis shrimp fermented using Beauveria sp. elicited a slightly poor growth response as compared to feeds prepared from Mantis shrimp fermented using B. licheniformis. At the 60% incorporation however, a slightly better growth response was obtained wherein a 316% increase in weight was observed in comparison to 213% in case of control animals with a specific growth rate of 1.33 (± 0.07). The feed conversion ratio and survival rates also showed significant (P < 0.05) variation in Mantis shrimp supplemented feeds in comparison to the control group. Overall growth performance and carcass yields show the superiority of fermented Mantis shrimp and prove its efficacy as a feed ingredient in shrimp feeds. Thus Mantis shrimp enriched with microbial protein through a solid-state fermentation process could be profitably used for intensive feeding of shrimp as a substitute for fishmeal