Preliminary investigation of feeding performance of larvae of early red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, reared with mixed zooplankton

• Published in: Hydrobiologia 1997-12, Vol.358 (1-3), p.259-263
• Main Authors: Doi, M. (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Iloilo (Philippines). Dept. of Aquaculture), Toledo, J.D, Golez, M.S.N, Santos, M. de los, Ohno, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acartia tsuensis; Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Aquaculture; Biological and medical sciences; BRACHIONUS; Brachionus rotundiformis; COPEPODA; EPINEPHELUS; Epinephelus coioides; Feeding; Fish; FISH CULTURE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; LARVAE; LARVAS; LARVE; Marine; PISCICULTURA; PISCICULTURE; Pseudodiaptomus annandalei; Rotifera; Vertebrate aquaculture; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1003193121532

Larvae of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, were reared inoutdoor tanks with nauplii of copepods (mainly Pseudodiaptomus annandaleiand Acartia tsuensis) and/or rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis. Grouperlarvae successfully started feeding on early stage nauplii even though theirabundance was as low as approximately 100 individuals l^sup -1^ andshowed better survival and growth thereafter compared to those fed withrotifers only. Incidence of feeding reached 100% on day 4 whennauplii were available and only on day 9 when rotifers were given alone.Larvae seemed to be poor feeders at the onset of feeding, attempting tocapture any food organisms in the tank water. Selective feeding ability oflarvae started from day 4 and the larvae then preferred to feed on medium-and large-size nauplii rather than on rotifers as they grew. Larvae appearedto have a better chance at surviving in the presence of early stage nauplii,which were probably caught more easily than rotifers.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]