Effect of different commercial feeds on growth and reproductive performance of Guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters

Abstract

A 15 week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of three commercial feeds; Prima diet, Galaxy diet and Prawn diet on the growth performance and reproductive performance of Guppy, Poecilia reticulata. Triplicate groups of guppy juveniles (mean initial weight of 0.07 + 0.03g) were stocked in 9 indoor glass aquaria (30 x 22 x 8.5cm), at a density of 20 fish tank-1 at a sex ratio of 1:1. Fish were fed ad-libitum 5 times daily using respective diet and growth performance (Total length, weight, %SGR, FCR) and reproductive performance (Gonadosomatic index (GSI), Time taken for first spawning, total number of larvae, and spawning interval) were evaluated. Feed consumption (10.80-12.58 % Bwt/day) was not differed among treatments. The highest growth performance of fish in terms of final mean body weight (0.83+ 0.46g), total length (4.63 + 0.41cm), and specific growth rate (SGR 2.34 + 0.03)) was observed in the fish fed Prawn diet compared to fish fed on other two feeds. Total body weight and GSI were found to be significantly higher in females compared to males in all treatments. Fish fed on Prawn diet recorded the significantly highest mean number of larvae per tank (33.67 + 7.51). However, total length of larvae showed no significant difference among three treatments. In the present study significant highest growth and reproductive performance (in terms of number of larvae tank-1) of guppy was observed in fish fed on Prawn diet. Therefore, for guppy broodstock rearing in indoor aquaria Prawn diet could be recommended as the best feed out of three commercial diets tested herein.