Growth and survival of juvenile queen conch Strombus gigas fed artificial diets containing varying levels of digestible protein and energy

Aquaculture methods for queen conch Strombus gigas have been established for several decades. However, there is a need to improve husbandry techniques for the grow out of juveniles. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth and survival of juvenile queen conchs fed artificial diets with increasing levels of a red alga Agardhiella sp. Agardhiella, soy protein isolate, and fish oil were increased at the expense of catfish feed, wheat flour, or both to keep the diets isonitrogenous (38% crude protein [CP]) with increasing protein to energy ratios (83–96 mg CP/kcal). Yttrium was also incorporated as an inert marker for determining the digestibility of dietary nutrients.