Growth and survival of Ripon barbel (Barbus altianalis) larvae and juveniles fed five experimental diets in captivity

Abstract Mass production of quality seed is vital for commercial culture and requires prior knowledge of appropriate larval diets and their utilization. Four experiments were sequentially conducted at different periods to evaluate the effect of live and a processed microdiet on growth and survival of Barbus altianalis larvae and juveniles. Larvae were fed exclusively on live prey (Moina and Artemia nauplii), microdiet (57 % Crude Protein), decapsulated Artemia cysts and in combination (Moina + microdiet). The effect on growth was further evaluated in subsequent juvenile trial by co-feeding. Green water effect on larval growth was also evaluated. In the final experiment, 15 day old larvae were raised in fertilized outdoor concrete tanks. Results indicated that each diet affected larval growth significantly different (P 0.05). In this study, larvae were confirmed to utilize the microdiet from exogenous stage but co-feeding produced best average weight (152.05 ± 2.51mg), specific growth rates (4.06 ± 0.19) and survival (90.9 %). This study provided guiding strategies for improved rearing of B. altianalis fingerlings in captivity.