Water depth and feed pellet type effects on growth and feed utilization in the rearing of green turtle (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758)

Published source details Songnui A., Thongprajukaew K., Kanghae H., Satjarak J. & Kittiwattanawong K. (2017) Water depth and feed pellet type effects on growth and feed utilization in the rearing of green turtle (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758). Aquatic Living Resources, 30.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Sea turtles Action Link

Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Sea turtles

A replicated study in Thailand (Songnui et al. 2017) found that captive-reared green turtles Chelonia mydas all survived for an eight-week period, and that two of five measures of growth were affected by water depth but not feed type. Survival over an eight-week period was 100%. Final body weight and growth rate were higher in tanks with shallower water (15 cm depth: body weight 107–110 g, growth 2.7–2.8% body weight/day; 30 cm depth: body weight 98–106 g, growth 2.5–2.7% body weight/day), but were not affected by feed type. Body condition, and shell size were similar across all treatments (see paper for details). One hundred and twenty turtle eggs were collected from a single female as part of a head-starting programme, and 103 hatchlings were reared in fibreglass tanks (1.5 m x 0.8 m x 0.8 m) in 15 cm of sea water for 20 days. Turtles were then moved in groups of five to tanks (0.6 x 30 m) with 15 or 30 cm deep water and provided with floating or sinking food pellets (exact number of individuals/treatment not provided).

(Summarised by: William Morgan)