Effects of Fermented Fecal Solid Diets on Growth of the Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

The effects of fermented fecal solid diets on the growth of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus was investigated in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) during a 90-day experiment at 16.5-17.5℃, 32±0.5 psu salinity, pH 7.9-8.2, and 5.2-7.1 mg/L dissolved oxygen. The aim was to determine the feasibility of RAS fecal solid waste as a renewable feed for A. japonicus. In this study, unfermented fecal solid (UF), fermented fecal solid (FF), and commercial feed (CF) diets were used. The results showed that the growth rate did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between A. japonicus fed FF and CF; however, the growth rates of A. japonicus fed FF and CF were ~50% higher than that of those fed UF. Thus, utilization of fecal solid by A. japonicus may overcome the problem regarding accumulation of RAS waste. Use of a fermentation process would improve utilization of fecal solid as a renewable food source for A. japonicus.