The culture and use of microalgae for larval rearing in Taiwan

Abstract

The collection and culture of microalgae for larval rearing studies in Taiwan began in 1982. Today, 33 species (52 strains) of microalgae are held as start culture. The growth and survival of Penaeus monodon larvae fed with selected microalgae were studied in 1983. Skeletonema, Isochrysis, Chaetoceros, and Tetraselmis were found suitable for zoea larvae, but Spirulina, Dunaliella, and Chlorella were not. The latty acid composition of Skeletonema, Tetraselmis, and Chaetoceros has also been determined. In 1989, commercial rearing of grouper larvae was started using Nannochloropsis oculata, which was acquired from Japan in 1987. To find a native alga with high DHA content, the Taiwanese species of Isochrysis galbana was collected and isolated in 1989. The DHA content of all five Isochrysis species collected from different localities in the world were nearly identical, about 12% of the total fatty acids or 10 mg/g DW. Mass culture techniques of Taiwan Isochrysis were developed and culture systems have been set up. Tests in larval rearing showed Isochrysis to be the best microalga as live food for grouper larvae. The biological characteristics, usage for aquaculture, and culture methods of microalgae in Taiwan are briefly reviewed.