Breeding, rearing and feeding studies in the cleaner goby Gobiosoma evelynae

Significantly higher survival rates (50% juveniles) were observed in larvae fed on the naked ciliate Euplotes sp. and smaller rotifers B. rotundiformis with respect to larvae fed on the larger one B. plicatilis (10% juveniles). In larvae fed on the smaller rotifer B. rotundiformis followed by the larger B. plicatilis, a 35% survival rate was observed. From these feeding studies, it is evident that significant differences in survival rates are already evident from day 3 post-hatch, indicating that marine ciliates are the key organism to improve G. evelynae larvae survival and thus an alternative food source to copepod nauplii and rotifers.