The effect of different starter feeds on the growth and survival of labeo victorianus in captivity

Abstract

Ensuring food security is one of the global challenges given the increasing global population. Many countries have opted for aquaculture in efforts to increase food production to ensure food security. However, feeding constitutes the major factor in intensive rearing of fish larvae, since fish obtain their entire nutritional requirement through the food consumed.

This study was conducted to provide valuable insights into the feeding requirements of L. Victorianus in captivity, and to identify the most effective feeding regime for the species. Experiment started when larvae were 0.002g in weight. Triplicate groups of fish were each offered one of these three feed treatments (1) moina alone, (2) moina mixed with dry feed and (3) dry feed alone. The larvae under experimentation were fed three times daily. Fish larvae fed with mixed feed type showed significantly higher weight gain (0.08±0.06) with the highest survival rate (87.7%) and specific growth rate (4.87±2.58). Fish larvae fed on fry dry feed alone showed the lowest weight gain (0.01±0.01) and also showed the lowest survival rate (42.0%) and specific growth rate (1.29±2.47). The greater effect of mixed feed type is attributed to nutritional complementarity whereas the poor response to artificial diet may be due to an un developed digestive system. The observed variations among the treatments emphasize careful consideration when selecting starter feeds for successful culture of Labeo victorianus. The data were analyzed to determine significant differences among treatments by one-way ANOVA. There were significant variations among the different treatments.