Growth responses and survival of the goldfish, Carassius auratus (Cyprinidae) fry reared on Moina (Cladocera) and Cyclops (Copepoda).

Five sets of 20-day old goldfish fry, Carassius auratus with average weights of 0.167 ± 0.003 g were reared for eight weeks in plastic bowls for growth and survival studies. One set (labelled MN) was fed Moina and Cyclops. A second set (labelled FM) was fed fishmeal, and a third set (labelled AF) was fed a 45% protein artificial feed. The fourth and fifth sets were fed mixtures of Moina/Cyclops with the fishmeal (MFM) and the artificial feed (MAF). Survival was 60% in the fry fed fishmeal (FM) alone but 100% in all the other groups. Specific growth rate (SGR) and mean weight gain was not significantly different (P > 0.05) in fry fed Moina/Cyclops alone (MN) or in combination with fishmeal (MFM) and artificial feed (MAF). They were, however, significantly different (P Key words : Moina, Cyclops, Goldfish, Carassius auratus, Larval fish nutrition. Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.18(1) 2003: 43-46