The effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth and moulting cycle of postlarval stages of the prawn, Penaeus japonicus (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Penaeus japonicus postlarvae reared in laboratory conditions were fed artificial diet either lacking of carotenoids (C) or supplemented with astaxanthin (A). Frozen Artemia was used as standard (S). The effects of dietary carotenoids on growth are relevant to the developmental stage of the animal as well as to the duration of the treatment. The protein content is not affected whatever the diet. Astaxanthin supplemented diet has been found to shorten the moulting cycle. Postlarvae fed pigmented diets (synthetic astaxanthin or canthaxanthin from Artemia) exhibit an ecdysteroid rate lower than that of the group receiving the control diet, extremely poor in carotenoids. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.