Abstract

EFFECTS OF FEEDING SUPPLEMENTARY DIETS ON THE GROWTH OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED PUNTIUS ARULIUS TAMBRAPARANEI FROM THE RIVER TAMBRAPARANEI

*Dr. J. M. A. P. Arachi and Dr. P. J. Joslin

ABSTRACT

The results of the 63–day feeding trials with five test diets (three pelleted feeds and two live feeds) on the somatic and reproductive growth of P.arulius tambraparanei showed that maximum maternal body size was attained in the groups fed mosquito larvae, followed by chironomus larvae among live feeds. Fish fed with the basal diet supplemented with Vallisneria exhibited a weight of 6.13 ± 0.57 g/fish, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those fed only the basal diet. Those fed with the basal diet plus Sargassum had a weight of 6.84 g/fish (P < 0.05). Puntius arulius tambraparanei fed with Chironomus larvae reached a weight of 7.02 g/fish, while fish fed with mosquito larvae showed the highest body weight of 7.73 g/fish, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed with Chironomus larvae.

Keywords: Puntius arulius tambraparanei, Specific growth rate, dietary supplement.