Appendix 21 Preparation and ration for dry algae

Instant algae comes in 1 l ziplock bag and can be purchased from Reed Mariculture Inc.
• Packs of Tetraselmis chuii contain the equivalent of 1 800 l at 2 600 cells.μl-1.
• Packs of others (Pavlova lutheri, Isochrysis galbana (Clone: T-Iso), Thalassiosira pseudonana (Clone: 3H)) contain the equivalent of 3 600 l at 410 cells.μl-1.

They should be refrigerated and have a shelf life of 12 weeks.
To calculate food ration: F= (SxR)/7
Where:
F= dry weight of algae per day (mg)
R= ration as dry weight of algae per wet weight of spat (mg algae.mg spat-1) S= total wet weight of spat (mg)
Example:
Total biomass= 75 g= 75 000 mg.
Ration= 0.4 mg dry weight of algae per mg wet weight of spat.
Diet: Mixture of Tetraselmis chuii, Pavlova lutheri (or T-Iso) and 3H
F= (75 000x0.4)/7= 4285.7 mg dry wt algae
Daily ration is 4.3 grams dry weight

Prepare aliquots of each algal species. Use at least three different species for daily food ration: In Bermuda, Pavlova lutheri and T-Iso is used alternatively. Ration is based on biomass as seen above. For ease of preparation, one week supply of aliquots can be made in advance, assuming an average 350 grams biomass in raceway.
Algal preparation and supply:
1. Transfer one 10 ml aliquot of one species to a screw cap 10 ml test tube. 2. Label the vial with species and date.
3. Keep in the refrigerator until use.
4. Daily: Mix 1 vial of 3H and Pavlova lutheri (or T-Iso)(10 ml) and 1/2 a vial of Tetraselmis (7.5 ml) into 1 l of seawater.
5. Pour into 150 l tank in outdoor raceway when full.
6. This provides an adequate food ration complimentary to any additional nutrition supplied by the raw seawater.