Cyclic feeding of low and high protein diets reduces production cost of Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Eighty four days feeding trial (3 feeding cycle ; each cycle of 28 days comprising 21 days with low protein and 7 days with normal or high protein diets) was conducted with Labeo rohita fingerlings to investigate the growth performance. Four diets; D1 (10% CP); D2 (30% CP); D3 (35% CP) and D4 (40% CP) were prepared. A total of 225 fingerlings were distributed randomly into five treatments in triplicates. T1 and T2 groups were fed with D1 and D2 diets respectively throughout the experimental period. The feeding cycle of 28 days consisted of 21 days feeding with D1 and 7 days with D2 (T3); D3 (T4) or D4 (T5). Higher growth rate in terms of specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and apparent net protein utilisation were found in T2 and T3 group compared to T4 and T5. However, protein efficiency ratio of T3 group was significantly higher than the T2 group (p<0.05). Highest and lowest content of protein and lipid was observed in T2 group, whereas, the ash content was highest in T1 group. Feeding cost was considerably reduced with T3 group of low protein intake (43.63%) registering 20.17% saving in production cost. The results indicate that fish fed with cyclic feeding schedule of 21 days with D1 (10% CP) followed by 7 days with a normal diet, D2 (30% CP) could reduce the production cost with considerable savings in feed cost

Ancylocaris brevicarpalis Schenkel, 1902

Body is almost transparent, with some white spots over carapace and tail, and five orange spots outlined in black over the caudal fin. Since the entire body is transparent it provides a clear view of the internal organs like the hepatopancreas, central nervous system and alimentary system. The colour of hepatopancreas keeps changing with the status of nourishment and gonadal maturation

Petrarctus rugosus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837)

Carapace surface is very uneven with raised tubercles. There are few tubercles and many smooth areas between the post rostral and branchial carinae. The abdomen shows a distinct median longitudinal carina. Somite 1 is quite smooth, and has the transverse groove slightly noticeable in the extreme lateral parts. The exposed part of the following somites shows no arborescent pattern, but in each somite there is a wide transverse groove

Pomacanthus semicirculatus (Cuvier, 1831)

The body of this fish is deep and compressed. This species has spectacular colouring both as juveniles and as adults. As juveniles of 3 inches or lesser sizes, the fish is dark coloured with brilliant white and blue stripes running vertically on the body. The stripes become semi-circular at the base of the body lending the epithet "Semicircle angel" to this fish. As the fish grows the bands fade out

Mixed feeding schedule of low and high protein in the diet of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings: effect on growth performance, haemato-immunological and stress responses

Four experimental diets D1, D2, D3 and D4 having 100, 300, 350 and 400 g protein kg−1 diet, respectively, were prepared. Fingerlings of Labeo rohita (5.45 ± 0.03 g) were fed with different diets following a mixed feeding schedule with the feeding cycle of 28 days that consisted of either 28 days feeding of diet D1 or D2 or 21 days feeding with D1 diet and 7 days with either D3 or D4 diet. Different treatments were T1 (D1 for 28 days), T2 (D2 for 28 days), T3 (D1 for 21 days and D2 for 7 days), T4 (D1 for 21 days and D3 for 7 days) or T5 (D1 for 21 days and D4 for 7 days). Fingerlings were sampled after three feeding cycles (84 days). Higher (P < 0.05) growth performance and protein utilization efficiency were found in the T3 group, which was similar to the T2 group. The blood count, NBT, lysozyme activity, serum parameters and stress indicator parameters also complement for the better immunity in the T2 and T3 groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that fingerlings feeding alternately a low-protein diet (D1) for 21 days followed by a normal-protein diet (D2) for 7 days in a cycle of 28 days for 84 days maintained better growth and health status

Cladiella australis (Macfadyen, 1936)

The species has stubby projections resembling fingers that are round to cone-shaped which project out from a short stalk. The projections branch-out in various directions and have polyps extending out from their tips. They are hardy and fast growing. Most specimens are pale in color, with contrasting greenish-brown to brown polyps. Corals of this genus are slimy to touch since they produce a lot of mucous. They can grow up to 41 cm in height

Lysmata amboinensis (de Man, 1888)

The Pacific cleaner shrimp is easily identified by its colour patterns. The body is light brown with one white band dorsally and two red bands laterally running longitudinally. The tail has two white spots on either side. The antennae are white in colour and the first pair has red coloured base. It grows up to a maximum of 6 cm

Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855)

Dorsal spines (total): 10; dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; anal spines: 3; anal soft rays: 6-7. Females characterized by violet-edged orange stripe behind eye and prolonged third dorsal spine. In males, the fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip is absent. Males are with elongated third dorsal spine and lunate caudal fin

Stunted fingerling production ensures continuous supply of good quality seed for marine finfish farming

Application of compensatory growth pattern in finfishes for enhancing aquaculture production is an innovative method adopted by several farmers in freshwater farming systems. Stocking of stunted fishes have the primary advantages such as growth compensation, suitability for short duration farming, economic usage of feed, extended period of good quality seed availability and enhanced survival rate with better yield. An attempt has been initiated to adopt the principles of compensatory growth pattern in marine aquaculture systems and the possible interventions in these aspects is discussed. Preliminary results reveal that marine finfishes such as Snubnose pompano and Mangrove red snapper exhibits compensatory growth pattern during post- stunting rearing period in both marine and low saline condition