Food selection and growth of young snakehead Channa striatus

Abstract

Food selection and growth of young snakehead Chunnu striutus were studied in the laboratory and in a field trial. In the laboratory, first-feeding snakehead larvae of 6-7 mm total length (TL) with a mouth opening of 0.55 mm sclectcd for Arteniiu nauplii, and against formulated feed. Fish began feeding on kormulated feed at 12mm T L when their mouth width reached 1 .0mni. In both laboratory and field trials, snakehead diets changed as fish size increased. For fish 15-20 mni TL, cladocerans and copepods were 96.5% of their diet. With fish 30-40mm TL, zooplankton consumption was greatly reduced while benthic organism consumption increased. Fish 45-50 mm TL fed exclusively on benthic invertebrates. Diet shift from LOOplankton to benthic invertebrates was not due to reduced zooplankton availability, but was instead related to changes in gill raker structure. Low density of benthic invertebrates in the field trial caused reduced fish growth rates when fish switched diets from zooplankton lo benthos. Our results indicate that snakehead can take Artenki nauplii as a larval starter food, then accept formulated feed at 2 12mm TL. Zooplankton can serve as food for snakehead < 40mm, but formulated feed should be provided for larger fish which are unable to catch zooplankton.

Identification of Channa species using the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as a DNA barcoding marker

“…Snakeheads of the genus Channa include several carnivorous species that possess high economic value and are widely recognized as staple food fish (Courtenay and Williams, 2004;Qin and Fast, 2007;Sampath, 1984;Sampath and Pandian, 1984;Wee, 1982). In addition, snakeheads are used as ornamental fish in aquariums and their consumption is considered therapeutic for wound healing after trauma and surgical procedures including, Cesarean sections (Benziger et al, 2011;Gam et al, 2006).…”

Influence of dietary lipid/protein ratio on survival, growth, body indices and digestive lipase activity in Snakehead (Channa striatus, Bloch 1793) fry reared in re-circulating water system

“…To date, very limited information is available on haruan nutrition (Qin & Fast 1997). In culture practices, snakeheads are commonly fed trash fish and cattle blood mixed with rice bran, wheat flour or spent grains (Wee 1982; Victor & Akpocha 1992).…”

“…In culture practices, snakeheads are commonly fed trash fish and cattle blood mixed with rice bran, wheat flour or spent grains (Wee 1982; Victor & Akpocha 1992). Qin & Fast (1997) reported that larval snakehead accepted formulated feed from the size of 12 mm total length and larval snakehead have been weaned from feeding live Artemia unto compounded feed (Qin et al. 1997).…”

Development of Captive Breeding, Seed Production and Culture Techniques of Snakehead Fish for Species Conservation and Sustainable Aquaculture

“…Captive reproduction and larval rearing of snakehead have been accomplished experimentally, but are not done on a commercial scale [2,10]. Attempts have been made to develop rearing techniques for snakehead in Hawaii, USA [16]. During the early post larval stage, it is better to feed them with small plankton like rotifers and Artemia nauplii [6,10].…”