Effect of Vitamin B Complex and Phosphorus on Stress Resistance and Phosphorus Uptake in Barramundi

Barramundi, the Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer Bloch 1790), is a valuable aquaculture commodity, but seed survival is generally low. This study used a completely randomized design (two factors; 16 treatments; 3 replicates) to examine the effect of adding vitamin B complex and phosphorus to the rearing media on the survival, stress resistance, and phosphorus content of barramundi larvae. Barramundi larvae aged two days were stocked at a density of 25 fish L-1 in 40 L green plastic basins (30 L water) and reared for 30 days with natural feed (Chlorella and rotifers). The factor I was vitamin B complex with 4 levels: 0, 75, 150, and 225 mg L-1. Factor II was phosphorus with four levels: 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg L-1. Commercially available B vitamin complex and phosphorus mineral supplements were dissolved in water and added to the larval-rearing media. Analysis of variance showed that the combination of vitamin B complex and phosphorus treatments had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on survival, stress resistance, and phosphorus uptake. Survival and phosphorus content in barramundi larvae were highest with a combination of 150 mg L-1 vitamin B complex and 1.0 mg L-1 phosphorus and lowest in control (0 mg L-1 of both additives).