EFFECT OF THE TIMING OF INITIAL FEEDING ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF TOMATO CLOWNFISH (Amphiprion frenatus Brevoort, 1856)

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of timing of initial feeding on growth and survival of tomato clownfish larvae. Newly hatched larvae were tested with 5 feeding regimes including 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h after hatching. Larvae were reared in glass tanks at a density of 1.0 larvae per liter, fed with rotifers combined with nauplius Artemia. Each treatment was tested with 3 replicates for 45 days. Results showed that larvae fed within 0 - 12 hours after hatching achieved the best growth parameters (LG, WG, SGR_L, SGR_W), followed by 24 hours and, the lowest was at 36 - 48 hours (P < 0.05). The timing of initial feeding also affected fish survival, with the general trend being that the later the feeding, the lower the survival rate (72.2 – 77.8% at 0 – 12 hours compared with 23.6 – 30.0% at 36 – 48 hours; P < 0.05). From this study it can be concluded that tomato clownfish larvae should be fed within 12 hours after hatching in order to achieve optimal growth and survival parameters.