An alternative life history approach to the nutrition and feeding of Siluroidei larvae and early juveniles

Abstract

Successful commercial production of most cultured fish species has been facilitated by the intensification of larval rearing techniques. Siluroidei species are no exception and early attempts at larval rearing in ponds were soon superseded by intensive hatchery production, at least for those species that are farmed on a commercial scale. The review focuses on alternative life history strategies and how these may provide clues to the early nutrition and feeding of siluroid fishes, as well as on the development and efficacy of practical feeds and feed application. The paper highlights several commonalities in terms of the nutritional and feeding requirements of the larvae of the various species cultured on a commercial and subsistence basis. The requirement for live feed for some species appears to be of short duration and all species can be successfully weaned onto dry feed at a relatively early stage. This is considered to be one of thereasons why the intensification of larval rearing of Siluroidei fishes has, in general, been highly successful. The review also comments on the live food/dry food debate and clearly reveals that our knowledge of Siluroidei larval nutrition and feeding is sorely lacking for many species, in comparison to other groups of fish. This emphasises the need for a concerted fundamental research effort.