ИСТИНА

world. The purpose of present study was evaluation the palatability of echinoderms inhabit coral reefs in South Vietnam. Bioassays were performed on juveniles of barramundi (Lates calcarifer, 5-10 cm in body length). Agar pellets flavoured with water extract of 6 species of echinoderms were offered for fish one by one. Consumption of flavoured pellets and blanck pellets (control) was compared using Chi-square test. The obtained results showed that 5 species of echinoderms (sea stars Acanthaster planci, Linckia laevigata, Fromia milleporella, Culcita novaeguineae, and sea cucumber Holothuria atra) had aversive taste for barramundi and suppress significantly the consumption of pellets. Linckia laevigata extract had the strongest deterrent effect. Crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster planci extract also had aversive taste, but the effect was slightly lower than that in L. laevigata. It is possible that the lower taste aversiveness of the A.planci is due to the fact that crown-of-thorns sea star has strong mechanical defense – long and sharp spikes throughout the body. Among all four species of starfish, the Fromia milleporella extract has the least aversive effect. On the contrary, the taste of sea urchin Diadema setosum was attractive for barramundi.