Panagrellus redivivus as a live food organism in the early rearing of the catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes)

The nematode Panagrellus redivivus (Linné) has been suggested as a source of live food in the rearing of larval fish and shrimp species. This study tested the use of P. redivivus in the early rearing of the bottom-feeding catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes). A comparison of feeding rates of 5000–10 000 nematodes larva−1 day−1 showed that fish receiving 5000 nematodes larva−1 day−1 grew faster than those fed a dry diet, but slower than treatments fed 200 and 600 Artemia larva−1 day−1. Enrichment of nematodes with SuperSelco® improved fish growth relative to a non-enriched control treatment, with both treatments receiving 5000 nematodes larva−1 day−1. In the first two trials, feeding commenced 2 days after hatching. In the third study, fish were fed nematodes 6 days after hatching and there was no difference in growth between Artemia-fed fish (600 Artemia larva−1 day−1) and fish fed 5000 nematodes larva−1 day−1. Thus, it is suggested to feed S. petricola at a nematode density of at least 10 000nematodes larva−1 day−1 in order to achieve growth comparable to that of fish fed Artemia, or, alternatively, to feed 5000 nematodes larva−1 day−1 to improve growth relative to that achieved with a dry diet. Furthermore, nematodes may be enriched with essential fatty acids to improve the growth of S. petricola larvae.

PDF | Panagrellus redivivus (Linn�) as a live food organism in the early rearing of the catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230204293_Panagrellus_redivivus_Linn_as_a_live_food_organism_in_the_early_rearing_of_the_catfish_Synodontis_petricola_Matthes [accessed Jul 07 2018].