Preliminary Study on the Timing of Weaning of Spotted Sand Bass, Paralabrax Maculatofasciatus, Larvae With a Prepared Diet: Effects on Growth and Survival.

Abstract

A preliminary feeding trial was made to determine the age (size) at which spotted sand bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, larvae can be weaned with a prepared diet, using survival and growth performance as evaluation criteria. For this purpose, three different dietary treatments were tested: Control: the larvae were fed on live food, then on raw minced fish tilIet; treatments 1, 2, and 3: the larvae were fed on live food, then weaned with a prepared diet from 15,25, or 30 days after hatching, respectively. The larvae were obtained from naturalIy fertilizcd eggs. There was c1early an effect of the feeding strategy on the final growth of the spotted sand bass. Standard mean length, wet weight, and specific growth rate of larvae fed on live food.