Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Availability of seed of this catfish is considered as a primary factor for the aquaculture. Wild resource is always an option for seed procurement, which does not have any surety on the quantity. Pangasius pangasius, a threatened catfish was induced bred in captivity for getting the larvae. A comparative study of P. pangasius larval performance was observed by feeding mixed zooplankton, Artemia nauplii and tubifex worm in triplicate tanks for a period of 15 days of rearing. The growth parameters and survival rate were analysed for statistical differences by One-Way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range post hoc test (SPSS 26.0, USA).  The values were considered significant at P<0.05. The water quality parameters were within the acceptable range in the rearing tanks. All the live feeds were actively accepted by larvae. The results showed that the growth in terms of weight and length increase of larvae fed Artemia or Tubifex were significantly higher (P< 0.05) compared to the larvae fed to mixed zooplankton. The weight gain, SGR and yield followed a similar trend like growth parameters. The survival rate was affected (P< 0.05), while reared by providing mixed zooplankton as feed compared to the other two live feeds. Therefore, the study recommends to rear this valued larva with Artemia or Tubifex for captive hatchery production. The study also indicated the feeding of zooplankton when a shortage of other two live feeds is experienced.