Effect of partial and total replacement of live feed (artemia) with formulated diets in early stage growth of hybrid catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis x Heterobranchus longifilis) fry

Abstract

Fish larval nutritional requirement is a major concern for the expansion of larviculture of many fish species. Live foods such as rotifer, daphnia and artemia are mostly used in the hatchery production of fish hatchlings. This experiment was carried out to determine whether live feed (Artemia) and formulated imported feed (Coppens) or the combination of the two feeds at different proportions will efficiently enhanced the growth and survivability of hybrid (H. bidorsalis x H. longifilis) hatchlings. After endogenous feeding, average of 70-80 hatchlings initial mean weight (0.12 ± 0.00)g were counted in each experimental tank (70cm x 45cm x 40cm) replicate twice to give five treatments in a complete randomized design. Each diet was fed ad libitum for 56 days. The result shows that live food (D1) (100% Artemia) was best utilized for growth and feed utilization by the Hybrid (H. bidorsalis x H. longifilis) catfish fry. Fry fed imported formulated diet (D2) (100%Coppens) shows significantly (p<0.05) lowest growth rate and survivability compared to fry fed D3-D5 (different ratios of live and formulated diets). The best growth performance recorded in fry fed live feed might be as a result of increased in food intake coupled with high nutrient digestibility.