Open AccessA Review of Feeding Practices, Growth and Nutritional Physiology in Larvae of the Catfishes Clarias gariepinus and Clarias batrachus
Author(s) -
Verreth J.,
Eding E. H.,
Rao G. R. M.,
Huskens F.,
Segner H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1993.tb00002.x
Subject(s) - biology , clarias gariepinus , larva , clarias , zoology , digestion (alchemy) , nutrient , live food , aquaculture , fishery , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , catfish , chemistry , chromatography
A comparative study of larval growth in the different species of the genus Clarias in different regions revealed that in spite of strong differences in egg and larval size, the growth potential was quite similar. Differences in growth between species and regions were strongly correlated with the applied feeding strategy, the applied growth parameter and period of measuring. To evaluate feeding strategies, standardized procedures for measuring growth are needed. Recalculating the results of the mentioned study according to these standardized procedures revealed that both in India and Indonesia, the growth rate of C. batrachus larvae was too low. This is probably due to low feeding levels in India and premature weaning in Indonesia. The basic biology and nutritional physiology of the larvae of C. gariepinus have been studied extensively. At the start of exogenous feeding, the larvae have an advanced digestive system with a functional pancreas, liver and nutrient absorption capabilities, but lack a functional stomach. The advanced digestive system is further exemplified by the development of the enzymatic complex. Probably because of the rapid development of the digestive system, feeding live food organisms is mostly practiced for a few days only and is soon replaced by wet and/or dry diets. It is hypothesized that the requirement of live food or specific larval diets during the first days of exogenous feeding is related to the absence of pepsin digestion during this period. Further optimization of the feeding strategies should focus on this conclusion.