Morphological development and survival of Philippine silver therapon larvae, Leiopotherapon plumbeus (Kner, 1864) reared under different feeding schemes

Abstract

Philippine silver therapon, Leiopotherapon plumbeus, locally known as ayungin, is an endemic fish species in the country. The demand for silver therapon remained high despite the decline of its population and commercial catches. Taking into account the potential of this species for stock enhancement, this study focused on developing an initial feeding strategy necessary to provide potential L. plumbeus juveniles for aquaculture. The experiment conducted was a short duration 10-day feeding experiment which used different feeding schemes utilizing live food organisms [Brachionus (B), Moina (M), co-fed with BM, Chlorella (C) and filtered lake water (L)]. Morphometric measurements were evaluated to assess growth performance of larvae among different feeding schemes. Survival rate was determined at the end of feeding experiment at 9 DAH (days after hatching). Growth parameters of L. plumbeus larvae reared under different feeding schemes showed significant differences starting at 5 DAH (P < 0.05) onward. After a total of 10 days, a significant decline in fish larval samples was observed under two feeding schemes (C and L). BM has a significant higher rate of survival (18.07 ± 7.09%) compared to other treatments. B. rotundiformis (15-20 mL^-1) can be considered as a starter food for silver therapon larviculture and M. micrura (5-10 mL^-1) can be utilized during an assumed co-feeding phase at 6 DAH.