Pigment deficiency correction in shrimp broodstock using Spirulina as a carotenoid source

In this study, an effort was made to cure the pigment deficiency syndrome (PDS) exhibited by pond-reared Fenneropenaeus indicus (H.Milne Edwards) broodstock, using the blue-green algae Spirulina as a carotenoid source in diet. The PDS symptoms included bleaching of ovary and reduced early larval performance. Biochemical analysis indicated reduced quantity of total carotenoids in egg and nauplii from the females with PDS. When PDS females were fed 30 g kg−1Spirulina-supplemented diet immediately after the appearance of symptoms, the egg and nauplii carotenoid values improved gradually and attained the pre-PDS values after a minimum of 4 week period. Spirulina supplementation also improved significantly (P < 0.05) the spawn quality (hatch per spawn, nauplii per spawn, nauplii viability) and larval quality indices (P < 0.05). The egg and nauplii protein values exhibited a trend similar to carotenoids, confirming the influence of latter on protein stability previously reported by researchers. The study confirms the bioavailability of carotenoids from Spirulina to shrimp broodstock and recommends its regular inclusion in diet to preclude carotenoid deficiency-related problems in shrimp hatcheries.