4 – Live microalgae as feeds in aquaculture hatcheries
Abstract:
Microalgae remain an indispensible hatchery food for many aquaculture species, despite some on-going progress in the development of formulated larval feeds. The majority of the microalgae feed production occurs as living cultures on-site within hatcheries. In this review, general characteristics of microalgae are discussed, including chemical profiles, nutritional qualities and methods of mass culture. Key microalgal species are identified that are used as feeds leading to the hatchery production of bivalves, abalone, shrimp and fish. Global demand for microalgae production as hatchery feeds is likely to increase, requiring not only the expansion of existing infrastructure, but technical innovation to develop new production systems that are more intensive and have greater production capacity.