Effects of delayed first feeding on growth and survival of orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula Lacepède, 1802) larvae

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of delayed first feeding on larval rearing of orange clownfish. The initial feeding times were tested including 12 hours, 15 hours, 18 hours, 21 hours and 24 hours after hatching. The parameters of growth (length, weight), survival rate and white stripe formation were used to evaluate the experimental results. Larvae were reared in 30 – liter - glass tanks at a density of 1 fish/liter. Larvae were fed with rotifers for the first 3 days and nauplius Artemia from 2nd day onwards. The experiment was performed with 3 replicates for a period of 45 days. Results showed that the delay of first feeding had negative effects on the growth parameters, survival rate and white stripe formation of orange clownfish larvae. In which, larvae were fed at 12 hours after hatching achieved the best growth parameters (length, weight), coefficient of variation, survival rate and white stripe formation. The longer the first feeding was delayed, the more these parameters decreased, and the lowest values were found in the treatment fed at 24 hours after hatching. From this study, it can be seen that orange clownfish larvae should be started feeding at 12 hours after hatching in order to achieve optimal growth, survival and metamorphosis rates.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53818/jfst.03.2022.67