Effects of Live Food Feeding on Growth Performance and Some Histological Parameters of Herotilapia multispinosa and Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Abstract

Aquarium fish feeding is an expensive hobby. Live foods such as Artemia are highly expensive and widely used. Therefore, aquarists look for alternative live food sources to feed their fish. Nematodes and annelids are good sources of protein and are easy to produce. In this study, we evaluated the effects of nematode and annelid feeding on the on growth performance and some histological parameters of Herotilapia multispinosa and Amatitlania nigrofasciata compared with commercial feeds. A. nigrofasciata fish groups fed with live and commercial food showed the highest survival rates of 91% and 100%, respectively. However, H. multispinosa fish groups fed with live food showed inhibited growth. Histologic examination of the liver and intestines revealed negative effects on these aquarium fish. Thus, right feeding regime practices should be established for using nematodes and annelids as fish food sources.