Background and Objectives: Blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) are economically important sources of soft-shell products for export demand. However, increasing over-exploitation and pollution towards the sea resources affected the production of the P. pelagicus. The study aimed to determine the microalgal preference and feeding density of the monospecific (Nannochloropsis oculata, Chlorella vulgaris, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros wighamii ) by individual P. pelagicus larvae. Materials and Methods: In the microalgal preference study, one polystyrene tray with 100 holes was set up in the experimental tank (200 L) to place the 50 mL centrifuges tube. For feeding density study, the survival rate, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Body Weight (BW) and Larvae Stage Index (LSI) of each larvae stage were collected from Zoea 1 (Z1) till megalopa. Results: Results for mean microalgal preference of individual larvae preferred most Chlorella vulgaris during Zoea 1 and 2, the larvae consumed the highest of Nannochloropsisoculata. For Zoea 3 and 4, the highest preference is Isochrysis galbana. For feeding regime, Zoea 1, larvae fed rotifer, Artemia and Chlorella vulgaris (T3), was the highest survival rate, Zoea 2 was larvae fed rotifer, Artemia and Nannochloropsis oculata (T5) and both Zoea 3 and Zoea 4, larvae fed rotifer, Artemia and Isochrysis galbana (T4) was the highest survival rate. The highest SGR and LSI were obtained in T4 cultured in 14 days. Conclusion: In conclusion, the microalgal preference and feeding density of the selected microalgae are different depending on each larvae stage. PDFFulltextXMLReferencesCitation
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Muhammad Taufik, Amin-Safwan Adnan, Ambok Bolong Abol Munafi, Noor Azniza Mohd Noor, Ismail Shahrul and Mhd Ikhwanuddin, 2022. Microalgal Preference and Feeding Density of Selected Microalgae Diets by Blue Swimming Crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 25: 67-77.