Artificial PUFA rich in animal protein? Interesting Goniopora Study

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

This was a very interesting study: Feeding of a Scleractinian Coral, Goniopora columna, on Microalgae, Yeast, and Artificial Feed in Captivity

Here are some quotes from the study:

Although the species has noteworthy ornamental value, research has indicated that the mortality of Goniopora sp. in aquariums is as high as 95% [3].

This study involved experiments to determine such effects of microalgae, yeast commonly used in aquaculture, and artificial coral feed.

They had control, R diet, S diet, I diet, and N diet:

In this study, artificial polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) rich in animal protein (R; i.e., a formulated diet combining animal protein and sodium alginate with probiotics), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S), Isochrysis galbana tml (I), and Nannochloropsis oculata(N) were used as the feeds for the experimental groups; an unfed control group (C) was also included in the study.

They basically fed the Goniopora nothing (control), yeast, phytoplankton, or a PUFA animal protein diet.


My question: How can one replicate the R diet?

The R diet contained a mixture of intact and hydrolyzed marine and terrestrial ingredients (commercial-in-confidence formulation, details not provided).

In the coral feeding assessment, microscopic examination of the corals 1 h after feeding revealed the presence of microalgae and yeast in the corals’ body cavities, but the R formulation could not be observed under a microscope because this commercial feed was a liquid.

R is a liquid feed with particles approximately 1 μm in size.

Another very interesting quote:

In addition, the caliber of G. columna is only 50–100 μm; hence, absorbing large feed organisms is impossible. Therefore, the size of a coral’s caliber should be considered during selection of feed.

That seems to debunks the hypothesis that Goniopora can eat large chunks of food.

Why the yeast seemed to fail:

The present study’s results indicate that using yeast as a feed for G. columna does not significantly increase growth, which may be related to the influence of yeast cell walls, lignocellulosic biomass, and the most abundant carbohydrate at the time of coral digestion [57,58]. Kim et al. (1998) [59] contended that tough cell walls are the main constraint on yeast’s use as an aquaculture feed. Therefore, corals’ ability to digest live yeast or absorb sugars may require further research.

Why the phytoplankton seemed to fail. The Goniopora consumed the phytoplankton, but couldn’t digest it.

Our results indicated no significant increase in the protein, lipid, or glucose content of G. columnaspecimens after 8 weeks of being fed I or S microalgae. The lipase and amylase content of the corals were also low, which may have led to an inability to metabolize fat and starch, thereby limiting the main cause of growth. In addition, the cell wall of microalgae generally comprises cellulose, which presents a challenge to bioaccessibility because of its low digestibility [61]. The microalgae I has cell diameter of approximately 3–5 μm, whereas the cell diameter of N is approximately 2–4 μm [65]. The mouth diameter of G. columna is 50–100 μm; therefore, G. columnacan comfortably ingest these two feeds. Corals are coelenterates—whatever food they cannot digest after initial ingestion is excreted from their mouths. We observed microalgae in the coral’s body 1 h after eating, implying that the coral had swallowed the microalgae. Therefore, the results suggest that corals cannot digest microalgae after swallowing them, explaining the lack of significant increase in growth.

Anyway, how can we replicate the R diet? It seems like we need liquid polyunsaturated fats that are high in animal protein. About 1um.

 

[MoshJosh]

Following

 

[Miami Reef]

Seems like Reef Nutrition Oyster Feast might be an interesting product to experiment with:

With high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, Oyster-Feast has all the benefits and nutritional value of the eggs but in a wide range of sizes, down to 1 micron.

Oyster-Feast Refrigerated Oyster Eggs

A unique mix of both oyster eggs and oyster ovarian tissue—the richest nutritional parts of the oyster found in nature. With high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, Oyster-Feast has all the benefits and nutritional value of the eggs but in a wide range of sizes, down to 1 micron...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Tripod1404]

Don’t they list what is in it, or where they got it from on the materials&methods section of the paper?

 

[Miami Reef]

Don’t they list what is in it, or where they got it from on the materials&methods section of the paper?

This is what I read:

The R diet contained a mixture of intact and hydrolyzed marine and terrestrial ingredients (commercial-in-confidence formulation, details not provided).

I don’t remember seeing what specific product they used. It would be very helpful if we could figure it out. It’s possible I missed it.

 

[slingfox]

Really interesting study---thank you for sharing!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

interesting!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Soaking foods, especially dry foods, in opened fish oil capsules will make it higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids.But neither I nor they can be sure what about that diet was helpful.

 

[Miami Reef]

I looked at the bottom of the study, and I found some info that can help:

At present, the CITES-certified Taiwan Coral king Coral King Coral Farm (Kaohsiung, Taiwan) feeds corals with the R formulation between 6:00 and 12:00 daily, recording an annual output of up to 20,000 G. columna colonies, all housed in 150 × 60 × 30 cm tanks.

The coral aquaculture industry has gradually attracted attention, and feeding G. columna with the R(10) formulation can improve its growth and significantly improve its protein content compared with other feeds.

So we know that it’s called R and a Taiwan Coral Farm has access to the food.

I searched on facebook and I found their company and the R food they sell:

珊瑚王Taiwan Coral King

珊瑚王Taiwan Coral King. 1,859 likes · 1 talking about this. 珊瑚王水族~T. C. K™ Taiwan Coral King 國立高雄海洋科技大學產學合作研發廠商

www.facebook.com

I just found another study where they gave more information:

The best coral bait (commercial protein-based food) or R1 coral food was obtained from Taiwan Coral King Aquarium company (Pingtung, Taiwan) and was used as control feed in this experiment.

Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Growth, Metabolism and Digestive Enzymes Synthesis of Goniopora columna

Coral reefs are important habitats for marine life and have high commercial uses, which can be used in biomedicine, aquariums and tourism promotion. In recent years, climate change has posed a serious threat to coral survival. Therefore, it is very important ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m emailing them directly, and they responded quick. They can ship it from Taiwan. I’ll let you know if I can purchase it. Shipping takes 7-14 days. I’ll let you know the price once they tell me.

 

[Miami Reef]

“One purchase of 2 bottles for $70 USD plus shipping fee of $50 USD equals $120.
A recommended purchase of 4 bottles for $140 USD plus shipping fee of $65 USD equals $205.
Shipping time is approximately 7-14 days.
Our products can be stored at room temperature of 20-30°C for 3 months and in a refrigerator at 4-7°C for 6 months.”

I asked how big each bottle is. I’m really interested in trying this food out since I’ve struggled with some goniopora. I think the price might be worth it if the bottles are big enough and if I spot feed the goniopora. The study looked very thorough.

What do you guys think? I think this is what makes reefing fun for me: trying little experiments out.

EDIT: The bottles are 900mL each. That seems like a very good deal if my results will match the study’s.

I’m going to order 2 bottles to test it out. I can always order more if it’s a success.

 

[Naekuh]

If this is a cheat hack on keeping glittering gonnies alive, im all in.

 

[coral reeftank]

Gonis love to eat!!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following this as well!

 

[Miami Reef]

Got the R1. I’ll let you know if I see any improvements.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Is the reddish the color of the product, or just the bottles?

 

[Miami Reef]

Is the reddish the color of the product, or just the bottles?

It’s the product. The bottle is clear.

Right: R1 from the study
Left: RO/DI

My sense of smell doesn’t work (born that way), so I can’t comment on the odor.

Do you have any thoughts?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It’s the product. The bottle is clear.

Right: R1 from the study
Left: RO/DI

My sense of smell doesn’t work (born that way), so I can’t comment on the odor.

Do you have any thoughts?

Nothing wrong with color, I was just curious. I used to feed Reed arctipods that were orange.

 

[Miami Reef]

Nothing wrong with color, I was just curious. I used to feed Reed arctipods that were orange.

I saw a really good feeding response with at least one of the Goniopora. The tentacles puffed up and closed around the liquid.

I wish I had this food earlier because my favorite Goniopora is about 95% dead. It has algae growing on the remaining flesh. I really hope it can bounce back, but I’m not holding my hope up. It doesn’t look like it’s going to survive.

I still have other Goniopora that I like a lot, and I’m going to add more. I really love Goniopora.

 

[Swip]

Is there anything about the ingredients on the back of the bottle?