Growth of juvenile abalone, Haliotis fulgens Philippi, fed different diets

Growth rates of juvenile Haliotis fulgens (green abalone) were evaluated with four different diets over 106 days. Three diets were based on the algae palm kelp Eisenia arborea, giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, and Gelidium robastum, and one on seagrass Phyllospadix torreyi. One artificial diet was used as a control. The best growth rates and specific growth rates were found in abalone fed M. pyrifera, which were significantly different from growth achieved on the other natural diets. The pattern of growth in juveniles fed an artificial diet was similar to juveniles fed M. pyrifera. The highest mortality (11%) was in juveniles fed the red algae G. robustum.