Potential Application of Poultry Eggshell in Giant Freshwater Prawn, (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Larvae Culture.

Giant freshwater prawn or also known as- Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and locally famous as udang galah. This native species inhabiting Indo Pacific region and one of the most prawn species that had a great demand in global market. M.rosenbergii is a fast grow species, though requires optimum nutrient supply. Among the main nutrients require for moulting is macro-elements including calcium and magnesium. Previous studies reported application of minerals derive from poultry eggshell as supplement to livestock animals such as chicken, cattle, sheep and swine with various amount (cattle: 35g, swine: 13g and sheep: 2g to 4g). This present study aims to determine the optimal ratio of calcium and magnesium from poultry eggshell in M. rosenbergii larvae culture. Different calcium:magnesium ratio were prepared in the culture water for newly hatch M.rosenbergii larvae. Each treatment group have three replicates. Culture water containing dolomite was used as control. Data on the survivability and growth rate of experimental prawns was collected and analysed using statistical analysis which showed comparison of three replicate of three treatments. Finding from this present study suggested fundamental scientific evidence of the optimal calcium to magnesium ratio needed for M. rosenbergii larvae culture derived from poultry eggshell.