Weaning methods using formulated feeds for snakehead (Channa striata and Channa micropeltes) larvae |
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| Authors: | Tran Thi Thanh Hien Bui Minh Tam Tran Le Cam Tu David A Bengtson |
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| Affiliation: | 1. College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam;2. Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA |
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| Abstract: | The culture of snakehead fish (Channa striata and Channa micropeltes) in Vietnam is limited, and snakehead culture has been banned in Cambodia, because traditional practices include capture of fingerlings from the wild as seed, as well as capture of small‐size (also known as trash fish or low‐value) fish. As hatchery breeding technology has improved, we investigated the optimal weaning practices for these two species. Both laboratory experiments and farm trials were conducted. For C. striata, the optimal weaning procedure is to begin at 17 days after hatch (dah) and wean the fish at 10% replacement of live feed with formulated feed per day. However, for C. micropeltes, the optimal procedure is to wait until 40 dah to begin weaning and then to wean the fish with a 10% replacement of live feed with formulated feed every 3 days. These results should enable farmers to domesticate snakehead culture in Vietnam and Cambodia and eliminate reliance on fish captured from the wild as both seed and feed. |
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| Keywords: | snakehead
Channa striata
Channa micropeltes
weaning |
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