Finfish Breeding and Hatchery Management

Unit 5 - Fish seed rearing techniques

5.1.5. Supplementary feeding

• The stocked spawn immediately start feeding on microscopic zooplankton.
• The spawn feed so voraciously that within 2-3 days after stocking the density of plankton in the nursery pond becomes very low.
• It is known that a single specimen of live carp spawn (6.5-7.2 mm length) consumes 3-34 cladocerons within an hour; the actual number depends on the size of the spawn.
• After this period, both artificial and natural feed are utilized so that the growth and survival increase.
• The commonly used feed for IMC and exotic carps is a mixture of rice bran and oil cake of ground nut, coconut, mustard, etc.
• The quantity of artificial feed to be given daily depends upon the weight of the stocked spawn.
• While the former recommended feeding rates of 200, 300 and 400% of the body weight of spawn during the first 5 days, 6^th - 10^th day and 11^th -15^th day after stocking, respectively, the latter advocated 100, 200 and 300% feeding rates for the corresponding periods.
• The artificial feed is either broadcast on the surface of water or fed as a thick paste (dough) in the form of small balls.
• Nandeesha (1995) reviewed the literature on the practice of artificial feeding in Indian freshwater aquaculture.
• Although a great deal of literature is available on the nutrient requirements of sub adult and adult fish, very little information is available on the nutrient requirements fish spawn and fry.