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Assessment of Holothuria arguinensis feeding rate, growth and absorption efficiency under aquaculture conditions

ABSTRACT Holothuria arguinensis is a potential species for sea cucumber aquaculture in Europe. In a first experiment, feeding rate (FR), growth, absorption efficiency (AE) and survival of adults (135.01 ± 10.87 g eviscerated weight) were assessed under sediment tank conditions. In a second experiment, the feasibility to use sea bream (Sparus aurata) biodeposits as a food source was studied for adults (168.69 ± 14.59 g eviscerated weight). Individuals in the first experiment showed an increase of weight (specific growth rate (SGR) = 0.2% d−1), positive FRs and mean value of AE close to 80% with a mean organic matter content of 90.07 ± 11.5 mg/g in the offered sediment. Sea cucumbers fed with fish biodeposits showed a reduction of weight (SGR < −0.14% d−1), low FRs and negative values of AE. The influence of low salinity and temperature during experiments should be considered to explain these results. Indeed, sea cucumbers can be affected by a decrease of these parameters during winter months resulting in a period of inactivity.