Effect of ration size and feeding frequency on growth, size distribution and survival of juvenile clownfish, Amphiprion percula |
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Authors: | G. Johnston H. Kaiser T. Hecht L. Oellermann |
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Affiliation: | Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, South Africa |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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