Effect of rotifers enriched with betaine and concentrated diet containing betaine on growth, survival and stress resistance of Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rotifers enriched with betaine and concentrated diet containing betaine on growth performance, survival and resistance to salinity (10 and 50ppt), temperature (42°C) and formalin (100ppm) stresses in Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus) post-larvae. A complete randomized design with three replicates per treatment in nine 20-1 tanks was chosen. Treatments were: Artemia nauplii, rotifers and concentrated diet (control); Artemia nauplii, rotifers enriched with betaine and concentrated diet (treatment 1) and Artemia nauplii, rotifers enriched with betaine and concentrated diet containing betaine (0.8%) (treatment 2). The larvae were fed 6 times per day at 4h intervals. There were significant differences in growth and survival rate between the treatments containing betaine (treatment 1 and 2) and control treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the larvae that were fed with betaine (treatment 1 and 2) had significantly higher survival rate in stress resistance testes (P<0.05). The present study showed that betaine has positive effect on growth performance, survival rate and resistance to stresses in Indian white prawn.