Growth And Survival of Sea Hare (Dolabella auricularia) Fed with Seaweeds under Cage Condition in Guang-Guang, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Abstract

Growth and survival of sea hare (Dolabella auricularia) fed with seaweeds under cage condition in Guang-guang, Mati, Davao Oriental was studied through measuring the weight of 120 samples, which ranged from 50 to 120, for three months (November 2006-January 2007). Cages were set up using (RCBD) Random Complete Block Design, four treatments with three replications: T1 control (no feeding), T2 feed with green algae (Caulerpa racemosa), T3 feed with brown algae (Sargassum polycystum), and T4 feed with red algae (Gracilaria sp.). Feeding was done weekly, and weight measurement was done every two weeks. Environmental parameters such as water temperature, pH, salinity, and turbidity were also determined every two weeks. Growth was measured by calculating the variance (S²). Survival was determined by the actual count of every individual. Data showed that growth of sea hare in T4 exhibited faster growth (0.28 gram per day fed with red algae Gracilaria sp.) compared to other treatments. Survival of sea hare ranged from 80% to 86%. Average mean temperature ranged from 31.89°C to 31.28°C, salinity ranged from 33.42 to 33.83 ppt, pH ranged from 7.93 to 7.95, and turbidity of water is very clear. During gut analysis, there were undigested parts of algae found in T4 and T2 specimens, while in T1 and T3 specimens, no remains of algae were found.