EVALUATION OF FIVE DRY DIETS FOR INITIAL FEEDING OF EUROPEAN WELS, Silurus glanis L., LARVAE UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

Abstract

Two experimental feeds, two commercial trout starters, and decapsulated Artemia sp. cysts were evaluated for initial feeding of wels larvae under laboratory conditions. The diets were used exculsively at 30°C, from the beginning of exogenous feeding (fifth day after hatching) over 9 days. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) best results (total length 25 mm, body weight 175 mg, survival rate 97%) were noted in fish fed commercial starter Krystal 3600, at the lowest food conversion ratio 0.8. Experimental starters were reluctantly eaten by wels larvae, which resulted in poor growth (total length 15.2 mm, body weight 25-28 mg) and low survival rates (76-85%). The results of the experiment indicate that commercial trout starters might be used for mass production of wels juveniles under controlled conditions.