Growth and survival of larval snakehead ( Channa striatus) fed different diets

Abstract

Culture performance of larval snakehead ( Channa striatus) was examined in a three-phase feeding experiment. During Phase I, diet treatments included: no food (NF); formulated feed only (FF); live Artemia nauplii and decapsulated Artemia cysts (LA); decapsulated Artemia cysts only (DC); formulated feed plus live Artemia nauplii (FA); and formulated feed plus Artemia cysts (FC). Fish survivals during Phase I were, respectively, 82% (FA), 78% (LA), 46% (FC), 30% (DC), and 0% (NF, FF). Fish fed DC were longer and heavier than fish in the other treatments. Phase II was a transition period to wean fish onto formulated diets. During Phase III, only formulated feed was provided. Fish previously fed LA had significantly greater ( P < 0.05) non-cannibalism mortalities than any other treatment. Fish previously fed FC were heavier than fish in other treatments. We concluded that snakehead could be trained to accept formulated feeds using either of the following methods: (1) feed with Artemia nauplii supplemented with formulated feed for 30 days, then gradually eliminate live food over a 7- to 10-day period; or (2) feed larval snakehead exclusively with live Artemia nauplii for 30 days, followed by 7 to 10 days mixed feeding with both live Artemia and formulated feed, then switch completely to formulated feed.