Three experiments were carried out to evaluate Pangasius bocourti larval rearing with different
feeding regimes. In the first experiment, survival rates of larvae fed on Artemia nauplii, cladocereans
(Moina sp.), or red-blood worms (Tubifex) were not significantly different, 91–93%. However,
Artemia nauplii and Tubifex gave similar growth rates (35–36% day 1) while Moina sp. resulted in
lower growth. Commercial trout-starter feed resulted in the lowest survival (67%) and growth rates
(20% day 1) when compared to live feed.
In the second experiment, feeding dry feed based on yeast and beef liver or feeding decapsulated
Artemia cysts improved survival rates. These were 90% and 87%, respectively, not significantly
different from Artemia nauplii. Regarding growth, dry feed and decapsulated Artemia cysts resulted
in lower growth rates than Artemia nauplii. These were 23% and 29%, respectively. Stomach content
analysis showed that reduced growth in decapsulated-cyst fed larvae compared to live Artemia
reflected a difference in feed ingestion and preference rather than a difference in nutritional quality of
the feed.
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