A Low Cost Amphipod-Based Feed for Rearing of Ornamental Aquarium Fish, <i>Poecilia reticulata</i> (Peters)

Abstract

Protein is an important but expensive dietary requirement for the growth of aquarium fish. Platorchestia platensis (Crustacea, Amphipoda), is easily available on the shores of Mauritius, was used as a protein source in feed preparation for rearing the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). The effect of the amphipod based feed (AF)(containing 25% amphipod, 20% milk protein, 30% carbohydrates, 22.5% lipids, 0.5% vitamin and 2 % minerals), and that of a commercially available feed (CF) on growth was investigated. AF is 10 times less expensive than the commercial feed. From the time of birth, 100 mg of the test feed was given twice daily for a period of 10 weeks to 32 Guppies. Total length was measured at the end of each week. Feed attractiveness of the amphipod-based feed to adult Guppies was also investigated. Thirty trials were conducted in pet houses each containing five fish and behavioural responses were recorded. Mean length of the fish at 10 weeks was 30.7 ± 3.0 mm for amphipod-based feed, and 31.0 ± 4.2 mm for commercial feed. No significant difference was noted in growth while using the two feeds (F _(1,47) = 0.06, p = 0.8) indicating that the AF is as good as the CF. However, during the first feeding week better growth was observed using AF (F _{(1, 61)} = 4.99, p = 0.03). Behavioural experiments with adults showed a preference for powdered form of AF compared to flakes and pellets. Higher percentage ingestion was observed when using AF compared to CF.

Keywords: Guppies, Amphipod based feed, commercial feed, growth, feed attractiveness, behaviour