Abstract
The 1983/1984 mass mortality event of D. antillarum wiped out 95-99% of its population, leading to an increase in algal biomass that negatively impacted the coral reef community. Although some natural recovery has occurred, the population is still significantly below pre-mortality levels. Recent development in aquaculture have made it possible to study D. antillarum in controlled, land-based systems. This project addresses a husbandry challenge by investigating the effects of two different binder concentrations in a formulated diet on the growth and survival of juvenile D. antillarum. The formulated diet aims to standardize feeding, minimize water quality degradation, and provide a stable nutrient source for optimizing the growth and survival of sensitive juvenile urchins. Results showed that alginate-based diets had better stability, lower ammonia release, and supported consistent growth performance compared to gelatin-based diets. These findings highlight the suitability of alginate as a binder, with the 1% concentration identified as optimal for juvenile urchin aquaculture. This study provides a foundation for developing an efficient formulated diet to support the large-scale propagation of D. antillarum for reef restoration efforts, contributing to the recovery of coral reef ecosystems.