Early juvenile growth of the abalone Haliotis australis in culture

Experimentally cultured juvenile Haliotis australis were fed different diets and their growth was measured. For juveniles between 3 and 6 mm in length the best growth was achieved on diatoms but macroalgal and artificial diets were also suitable for sustaining growth. The size at which the diet should be changed from microalgae to macroalgae was determined as 7 mm. Two batches of juveniles grown in a V-shaped tank rearing system averaged 15.9 ± 0.53 and 17.5 ± 0.69 mm in length after 13 and 12 months respectively. Methods to enhance the early juvenile growth are discussed.