Growth of Juveniles and Egg Production of Mummichogs Fed Different Diets in the Laboratory

Abstract

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of six diets to promote growth, survival, and egg production in juvenile mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus reared in the laboratory. Fish were fed one of six diets—nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia sp. (24 h posthatch), frozen brine shrimp, BioTrainer, Salomon Moist, TetraMin, or Canadian Moist—for 33 weeks. The instantaneous growth rate in mummichogs changed significantly (analysis of variance, P < 0.05) between diet treatment and over time. TetraMin and Canadian Moist produced the lowest growth overall. Survival was high for fish fed brine shrimp nauplii, frozen brine shrimp, BioTrainer, and TetraMin. There were no significant differences in egg production on the basis of total female weight. Brine shrimp nauplii, frozen brine shrimp, BioTrainer, and Salomon Moist promoted the best growth; brine shrimp nauplii, frozen brine shrimp, BioTrainer, and TetraMin promoted the best survival. Fish size rather than diet affected total egg production. Processed diets high in animal protein that contained added flavor enhancement promoted better growth in juvenile mummichogs than diets made of plant and animal products.