Growth and development of vimba bream (Vimba vimba) larvae in relation to feeding duration with live and/or dry starter feed

The effects of the introduction of dry feed upon growth rate and development were studied in vimba bream during larval rearing under controlled conditions. Larvae were fed sequential combinations of brine shrimp (BS) and ASTA starter feed for a total of 20 days as follows: BS alone (group A), 4 d BS followed by 16 d ASTA (B), 8 d BS followed by 12 d ASTA (C), 12 d BS followed by 8 d ASTA (D) and ASTA alone for 20 d (E). No demonstrable difference in fry survival was observed between the groups. The highest average total length (TL = 16.11 ± 1.42 mm), weight (w = 31.37 ± 8.80 mg) and the most advanced ontogenetic development (L5–L6, average 5.65) were attained by larvae fed on brine shrimp nauplii during the whole period. The lowest average growth (TL = 12.42 ± 0.76 mm; w = 11.01 ± 2.65 mg) and slowest development (L4–L5, average 4.91) was seen in larvae fed for 20 days with starter feed. With an increasing duration of feeding with brine shrimp nauplii, the length and weight of the larvae gradually increased, as did the coefficient of condition (FWC = 0.5648–0.7268). There were very notable differences between the individual samples A–E (P ≤ 0.001).