Incidence of feeding, growth and survival of the toothed carp, Aphyosemion gardneri larvae reared on the freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus

Abstract

Comparative analysis of survival and growth in the toothed carp, Aphyosemion gardneri larvae grown on the freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus and on commercial diet were obtained. The freshwater rotifers were first isolated and cultured in the laboratory in a rich medium containing algae and Baker's yeast. Larval length and wet weight were measured on day zero (0), 8, 16, 24, and at the end of the experiment (day 32). Results obtained showed that growth were significantly (P<0.05) higher in larvae reared with B. calyciflorus after 32 days of larvae nursing period. Larvae fed B. calyciflorus + Commerical diet closely followed those fed B. calyciflorus only. Fry fed commercial diet only had the least growth rate in terms of length and growth increase survival was only 42% as compared to over 80% survival obtained for larvae raised on B. calyciflorus at the end of the experiment. The fresh water rotifer, B. calyciflorus is an important live food organism for raising of the toothed carp, Aphyosemion gardneri.

Keywords: rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, larvae, algae, growth commercial diet, survival

Tropical Freshwater Biology 2003/2004 Vol. 12/13: 35-43