Effect of Replacing Live Food with Formulated Feed on Reproductive Performance of Freshwater Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare (Shcultze, 1823)

Abstract

The combined effect of live food (LF) and formulated feed (FF) on reproductive performance of Pterophyllum scalare was studied. Mosquito larvae were used as live food in addition to formulated feed which contained 50% protein and 12% lipid. The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized design (CRD) with six replicates for each treatment: P. scalare were fed with formulated feed and/or live food: T1 (100% FF), T2 (75% FF and 25% LF), T3 (50% FF and 50% LF), T4 (25% FF and 75% LF) and T5 (100% LF). Relative fecundity, egg and oil globule diameter was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T4 and T5 diets whereas inter spawning interval was lower in T3, T4, and T5 diets. Similarly hatching percentages were significantly higher with diets T3, T4, and T5. There were no significant differences observed between treatments on relative hatchling number, hatchling length, and weight. No significant difference was observed for egg and whole body composition of P. scalare fed with different diets. However there was a significant difference between treatments on fatty acid profile. It was concluded that live food can be replaced by up to 25-50% formulated feed without compromising reproductive performance of P. scalare