ABSTRACT Replacement of live microalgal diets is a significant challenge in developing cost-effective and reliable production methods for bivalves. In this study, the results of growth experiments are reported with juvenile Manila clams, Tapes philippinarum, fed on a heterotrophically grown, spray-dried, Schizochytrium-based product (SZ; Docosa Gold, Sanders Brine Shrimp) or a spray-dried, Haematococcus pluvialis-based product (H; Sanders Brine Shrimp) either alone or as supplements ...
<0.0001) improvement in clam growth rate (% wet weight increase) when supplements of SZ or H were added to live algal rations, except when added to full algal rations (Fig. 1A). The highest percent increase in clam wet weight occurred with 1/4 ration of live algae and a supplement of H. Growth of clams fed this latter supplemented diet was not significantly different (Tukey HSD; P><0.05). The organic weight of clams that received additions of bentonite was not significantly different from that of clams that did not receive bentonite (Tukey HSD; P>