Arabian Killifish (Aphaniusdispar): Assessment of growth performance and survival on different feeds in seawater tanks and potential use in Pakistan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the growth performance and feed preference of Arabian killifish, Aphaniusdispar (mean initial body weight 7.4±0.6g and length 3.1± 0.8cm) fed upon seven types of feeds (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) for sixty days in laboratory. Feed was giventwice at 2% of their total body weight. The experiment was conducted in seven (I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII) identical seawater tanks having capacity of 75 liters each and optimum conditions were maintained for water temperature (25°C to 28°C), pH (6.5-7.5), dissolved oxygen (5 mg/l-6 mg/l), salinity (28‰ - 32‰), ammonia(<0.2 ml/l), nitrite (<0.1 ml/l), alkalinity (2.3-2.6 meq/l)and total hardness (2.3-2.6 mg/l). It was observed that maximum growth was achieved with feed-E and feed consumption was excellent. Feed-A was found to be least preferable. Rate of consumption of feed-F was observed to be quite well without a significant loss, whereas the rate of consumption of feed-D was better than that of feed-B, C and G. All the fishes remained healthy and no mortality was observed throughout the study period. In conclusion, A. disparis has significant potential as an aquaculture species for commercial and economical benefits like bait sellers would able to get benefit by fulfil the demand of anglers; decrease the pressure of catching small size edible fish which is further used for fishmeal production .