Early weaning of fat snook (Centropomus parallelus Poey 1864) larvae

Feeding trials were conducted with fat snook larvae in an attempt to decrease the period of weaning without compromising larval growth and survival. Fat snook larvae of 30 days post-hatch (DPH; initial mean standard length = 9.6 ± 1.4 mm) were assigned to five feeding trials in which larvae received Artemia for 5, 10 and 15 days (co-fed with a locally prepared dry diet), Artemia for 10 days (co-fed with a commercial dry diet) and Artemia only (control treatment). Standard length, length-specific growth rate (SGR), condition index, and survival were monitored. Behavioral observations (swimming activity and feeding) were also conducted. Larval survival (over 91%) and condition were not significantly affected by treatment. Fat snook larvae were successfully weaned by 35 DPH, but larvae weaned by 40 DPH displayed higher growth rates (final mean SGR = 7.57% day− 1) and were significantly larger (final mean standard length = 16.4 mm) by the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences in any growth parameter between larvae weaned by 40 and 45 DPH. However, comparisons between treatments using different dry diets revealed a significant difference in the frequency of dry diet ingestion, although it did not influence the growth of larvae. Neither larval swimming time nor motionless duration was significantly different among treatments.