Effect of ration size and feeding frequency on growth, size distribution and survival of juvenile clownfish, Amphiprion percula

This study describes the growth of juvenile clownfish, Amphiprion percula Lacépède 1802, fed with an artificial diet at six ration sizes of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12% of body mass per day (BM day^?1) each at a feeding frequency of once, twice and three times per day. The effect of ration size on growth depended on the feeding frequency. In fish fed once a day growth did not improve above a ration size of 8% BM day^?1. At two feedings per day fish required a ration size of at least 6% BM day^?1 to achieve good growth, and fish fed three times per day grew at similar rates above a ration size of 4% BM day^?1. A model to estimate the combined effect of ration size and feeding frequency is presented. The results lead to the suggestion of a simple length‐based feeding regimen that could be tested in future studies on this species or adapted for use in other species.