Performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis Larvae Fed Artificial Starter Diets

Abstract

Abstract

An experiment was conducted for 28 days to assess the survival and growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis swim-up larvae fed (decapsulated artemia, commercial feed, egg powder and fish meal). Each diet was tested in triplicate on 1000 larvae per 75ltr plastic bowl experimental unit arranged in a completely randomized design. The highest survival (43.1±5.87) % was achieved in larvae fed decapsulated artemia, and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those subjected to Egg powder, but similar to other treatments. Percentage weight gain (3421.18±181.47) were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in larvae fed decapsulated artemia than the other three treatments. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the SGR (12.71±0.19) of larvae fed decapsulated artemia and Fish meal in which values of 12.71±0.19 and 11.64±0.30 were recorded respectively. The condition factors were all less than one (1) and not significant between the larvae fed the control diets. Fish meal and the commercial diet are recommended as starter diets for larvae survival.