Effect of Dietary Pigment Sources on the Growth and Shell Color of Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai)

This study investigated the effect of dietary pigment sources on growth and shell color of juvenile abalone(Haliotis discus hannai). Three replicate groups of the abalone (average weight 173 mg) were fed diets containing various pigment sources such as Porphyra powder, Spirulina, yeast astaxanthin, and paprika extract for 16 weeks. Survival and weight gain were not affected by dietary pigment sources (P>0.05). Shell color of abalone fed diets containing Porphyra powder and Spirulina approached the yellow-red and orange, colors similar to wild abalone. However, shell color of abalone fed the diets containing yeast astaxanthin and paprika extract were similar to the bright green control group. These results should be useful for changing the shell color of abalone in aquaculture.