EFFECT OF ENRICHED COPEPODS ON THE GROWTH, SURVIVAL AND COLOURATION OF ANGELFISH (Pterophyllum scalare)

Abstract

Cyclopoid copepod has a potential as live feed that can provide ornamental fish larvae with energy and essential nutrients, and promote their growth and survival, as well as affect their colouration. However, the nutrition, growth and nutritional requirements of this species are poorly understood. This research focuses on comparing the efficacy of enrichment types on copepods towards the growth rate, survival rate and colouration of Pterophyllum scalare larvae. The enrichment of copepods consists of four enrichment procedures (rice bran, palm kernel cake (PKC), Chlorella and yeast). This study was carried out over 50 days and the growth rate, survival rate and colouration (growth rate, survival rate, SGR and colouration) were used to evaluate the responses of P. scalare larvae towards different enrichment methods. Specific growth rates (8.0161 ± 1.4928 %; P = 0.775) and survival rates (66.667 ± 5.337%; P = 0.815) of fish larvae were found to not be significantly different (P = 0.775, P = 0.815; P >0.05). However, the colouration of the fish larvae was affected by the types of enrichment used (P <0.05). The growth and survival rates of P. scalare larvae were highest when fed with copepod enriched with rice bran and PKC. This enrichment type is the regulating factor for the growth rate, survival rate and colouration of P. scalare. The present study indicates that the organic fertilisers used, such as rice bran and PKC, have the potential for the aquaculture industry as an important enrichment medium for the growth and survival of fish larvae. Our results showed that both enrichment methods are applicable for the substitution of yeast and these findings will therefore provide better enrichment options in the larval rearing of the ornamental fish P. scalare. This study will allow the potential use of other live feed enrichment formulas to ensure that fish larval development is maintained in hatcheries.