Title: Growth, survival and morphometric measurements of malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) larvae when co-fed Artemia and an artificial diet
Abstract: A twelve-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of four test feeding regimens and one control regimen on the growth, survival and morphometric development of 20 days post-hatch (d.p.h.) malabar grouper ( Epinephelus malabaricus ) larvae while co-fed with Artemia nauplii. The five different feeding regimens tested were: Artemia nauplii at density of 5 mL -1 co-fed with artificial diet (AD) at 5 ppm day -1 (control); Artemia -3 mL -1 / AD-5ppm day -1 ; Artemia -3 mL -1 / AD-10 ppm day -1 ; Artemia -3 mL -1 / AD-15 ppm day -1 ; and Artemia -3 mL -1 / AD-20 ppm day -1 . Survival, growth rate and morphometric measurements ( i.e. total length, standard length, width, 2 nd dorsal spine, pelvic spine, eye diameter and upper jaw) of larvae were compared. Larvae were reared in 20L polycarbonate buckets in a static system until 30 d.p.h. Initial stocking density was 5 larvae per litre. High mortalities were observed after transfer of larvae into experimental system however larval mortality plateaued thereafter. Different feeding regimens did not have a marked effect on larval survival (P > 0.05), which ranged from 8.0 ± 1.74 % to 16.5 ± 6.21 % at 30 d.p.h. Results showed that a 40% reduction in Artemia requirements can be achieved when larvae are co-fed artificial diet at a level of 5 ppm day -1 (P > 0.05).
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-09-25
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 3
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