On the visual feeding of milkfish larvae and juveniles in captivity

Abstract

Feeding of milkfish (Chanos chanos) larvae and juveniles on Artemia nauplii in captivity was observed. The retinae of the larvae were observed histologically. Milkfish larvae could not take food in the dark. The juveniles could take food in the dark although less efficiently than in the lighted condition. Vision thus seems to be the most important sense for the milkfish larvae since feding depends very much on it. The larvae were found to have already well-developed regionally differentated retinae with all elements present. Vision, evidently, is developed foremost among the senses.