The effect of short-time Artemia spp. feeding on growth
performance and cumulative survival rate of barbel (Barbus barbus) larvae were studied
under controlled aquaria conditions during the 21-day larval period. Three
different diets (presenting reduced Artemia feeding) were tested for first
exogenous nutrition of larvae (since 13 days post hatch): (1) artificial
feed (Asta); (2) Artemia nauplii for 7 days followed by artificial feed; (3)
Artemia nauplii for 14 days followed by artificial feed. The longer period of live
food statistically improved growth of larvae (W = 174 ± 20 mg and
SGR = 14.5 ± 0.5% d−1). The artificial dry food Asta without the
addition of Artemia nauplii caused statistically decreased growth (W= 135 ± 22 mg and SGR= 13.1 ± 0.7% d−1). However, the growth of larvae with
the short period of Artemia nauplii (W = 153 ± 25 mg and
SGR = 13.8 ± 0.7% d−1) did not differ compared to either group. All used feeding
diets did not have a significant effect on the cumulative survival rate of
larvae ranging from 73 ± 1% to 74 ± 1% at the end of the
larval rearing period.
The effects of the rearing environment on growth performance and survival
rate of juveniles were tested under intensive controlled conditions in
aquaria and troughs for 84 days following the larval period (from 34 to 118 dph). The environment of the troughs caused significantly decreased growth
(W = 2079 ± 433 mg and SGR = 3.1 ± 0.05% d−1) of juveniles
compared to ones reared in aquaria (W = 3236 ± 264 mg and
SGR = 3.6 ± 0.1% d−1) at the end of the juvenile rearing period. Nevertheless,
rearing environment did not have a significant influence on the cumulative
survival rate of barbels (SC = 90 ± 4% and 81 ± 3% in
aquaria and troughs, respectively).