Diets and Feeding Regimes of Poeciliid Fishes in Singapore

Abstract

The guppy, Poecilia reticulata, molly (P. sphenops and P. latipinna), swordtail (XiphopJwrus helleri) and platy (X. maculatus and X. variatus) are livebearing fishes of the family Poeciliidae. They account for about 30% of ornamental fishes that are cultured in Singapore for export. Local farmers daily prepared feeds for guppies, swordtails and platies. Guppy feeds consisted. of 70-80% ground wheat bran or oats, 10- 15% fish meal, poultry starter crumbles or ground dried shrimp and 5-20% skimmed milk or buttermilk. The crude protein (CP), nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and crude fat (CF) levels of these diets ranged from 15 to 34%, 48 to 77% and 3 to 7%, respectively, of the total dry weight. Platy and swordtail feeds consisted of 60-80% wheat bran and 20-40% fish meal, with CP, NFE and CF levels of 18-26%, 53-63% and about 5%, respectively. Natura l organisms in ponds formed an essential part of the molly diet. Ponds were fertilized with chicken, duck or pig manure. Bread crusts and ground wheat bran supplemented these natural foods of molly fry and adults. The fry of all species were given live Moina sp. and broodstock live tubificiids. Formulated diets were given once or twice each day; supplementary items usually once.