Growth, survival and tissue composition of Macrobrachiurn rosenbergii (de Man) post larvae fed traditionally or with live feed Nanda P.K.*, Sahu N.P.1 Central Institute of Fisheries Education Versova, Mumbai-400 061, India *Reprint request: Dr. P. K. Nanda, Division of Livestock Products Technology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India. Tel: +91-581-440682; Fax: +91-581-447284; E-mail: nandapk@ivri.up.nic.in
1Present address: Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute. Izatnagar-243 122, India.
Abstract Six hundred and thirty post-larvae (PL-10) of fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii weighing 48 to 50 mg with a body length of 18.0 to 18.3 mm were randomly distributed in three treatment groups having three replications each to study the comparative performance of PL fed with traditional (GNC:RB, 1:1) or live feeds (Moina and Artemia nauplio for a period of 30 days. Feeding was done twice a day at 08.00 and 17.00 hrs. The traditional feed was offered at 10% of the body weight of PL to D1 group while 250 numbers of Moina and Artemia nauplii were offered per PL to D2 and D3 groups, respectively, which ensured ad lib intake. The physico-chemical parameters of water like temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, total alkalinity and pH were observed at every third day to monitor the water quality during the experiment. Sampling of biomass were done at every ten days interval to assess the growth performance of the PL and accordingly the per day increment in length, weight and percent weight gain were calculated. Body composition and survival rate were also worked out at the end of the experiment. After rearing for 30 days the average body weight, body length, percent weight gain and survival rate were significantly (P<0.01) higher in D2 and D3 groups than those of D1 group. Although, insignificant (P>0.05) but higher growth rate and survival rate was recorded in D3 group in comparison to D2 group. The tissue composition was least affected due to change in diet. However, an inverse relationship was recorded between moisture and fat, moisture and ash content of all the groups. Top Key words M. rosenbergii, Artemia & Moina feeding, Growth, Tissue composition. Top |