Influence of Different Algal Diets on Larval Growth Rates in the Marine Serpulidae Polychaete Worm Spirobranchus kraussii

Effects of food availability on larval growth and survival of Spirobranchus kraussii were studied by feeding larvae different algal diets. Newly hatched larvae of S. kraussii were fed four different marine microalgae species, singly and in various mixtures. The best growth was observed when fed C. vulgaris, N. oculata as a single species and mixed-algal diet during day 15 after fertilization. Mortality was low for larvae (max. 5%); survival rate more than 95%. These results suggest that S. kraussii larvae have the capacity to feed using alternative sources of energy, and food size and quality can affect their growth and sustainability.