The effect of lipid-enriched broodstock diets on spawning and on egg and larval quality of hatchery-bred rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus)

Abstract

Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets formulated to contain 12 (diet A), 15 (B) and 18% (C) lipids were tested on hatchery-bred rabbitfish Siganus guttatus broodstock to determine their effect on spawning and quality of the eggs and larvae. The results show that fish on diet C has higher fecundity than those on diets B and A. Also, fish on diet C yielded eggs of better quality than either fish on diets B or A. This was indicated by spawns resulting in higher percentage of normal hatchlings, larger newly-hatched larvae and higher survival rates until the 14th day of rearing. Dietary lipid levels, however, have no remarkable effects on fertilization, yolk and oil globule volumes, hatching rate nor larval size at harvest.