Journal article
Seaweed-enriched formulated broodstock diet improves post-settlement survival of a commercial sea urchin
Aquaculture, Vol.619, pp.1-10
30/05/2026
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Consistent, high-quality broodstock nutrition is critical for reliable hatchery production of marine larvae and post-larvae. Sea urchins are produced both for re-stocking of depleted populations and aquaculture, yet effective formulated diets that enhance reproductive performance of broodstock remain unknown. Here, we tested eight broodstock diets; 1) a natural kelp (Ecklonia radiata) control, 2) a base formulated diet (Base), five variants of the base diet enriched with 3) amino acids (Amino+), 4) arachidonic acid (ARA+), 5) vitamins and minerals (Vit+), 6) powdered forms of a green (Ulva lactuca) and red (Soliera robusta) seaweed (Seaweed+), 7) or all additives combined (Super), and 8) a mixed diet that alternated weekly between kelp and the Super diet (Mix). We measured gonad growth, fecundity, larval survival, settlement, settler quality and post-settlement survival of the sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma after a 12-week feeding trial. The gonad index of urchins fed formulated diets was 1.5 times higher than urchins fed fresh kelp or mixed diets. Broodstock diet had no effect on fecundity, larval survival, settlement or settler quality. Post-settlement survival was 2.5 times higher in settlers from broodstock fed the species-diverse seaweed meal enriched formulated diet (Seaweed+) compared with those fed the Base and mixed diets. Formulated broodstock diets enriched with diverse seaweed additives can provide a more nutritionally stable alternative to fresh macroalgae and improve the reproductive performance of sea urchins. Broodstock fed the best seaweed-enriched diet rapidly produced large numbers of high-quality juveniles, highlighting H. erythrogramma as a strong candidate for closed life-cycle aquaculture production.
Details
- Title
- Seaweed-enriched formulated broodstock diet improves post-settlement survival of a commercial sea urchin
- Creators
- Rick Verkooijen - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Symon Dworjanyn - Southern Cross UniversityMichael Salini - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Minnie Harvey - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)David Francis - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Fletcher Warren-Myers - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Tim Dempster - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)
- Publication Details
- Aquaculture, Vol.619, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Grant note
- Funding was provided by The Deakin Marine Scientific Research and Innovation Centre.
- Identifiers
- 991013357073402368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article