PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THREE DIFFERENT DIETS ON THE REARING OF SEA URCHINS IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

Experiments were conducted to investigate  the effects of three different diets on sea urchin s reared in recirculating aquaculture systems.  Sea urchins were reared in three groups - sea urchins fed sponge, sea urchins fed kelp , and sea urchins fed romaine lettuce. The experiment ran for three weeks and the animals were sampled at regular int ervals. Total body weight, gonad weight, gonado-somatic index, packed cell volume, coelomic fluid protein, total and differential cell counts, and coelomocyte phagocytic capacity were observed to measure the physiological and immune responses .  Sea urchins were successfully rear ed in the lab on all three diets.  Preliminary data did not show any significant differences in the physi ological and immunological parameters. Further investigation needs to be done to determine which diet is best for rearing sea urchins in captivity.