Rearing of Clarias batrachus (Lin.) larvae with formulated diets

An experiment was carried out for a period of 20 days using 7-day old Clarias batrachus larvae of initial total length of 7.4 ± 0.49 mm and weight of 2.9 ± 0.83 mg. Three artificial diets were used for the study having three replication of each. Among these, diet-I was formulated using 20% fish meal (FM), 30% powdered milk and 30% boiled egg yolk (BEY), diet-II using 27% FM, 20% Baker’s yeast (BY), 30% BEY and 3% agar and diet-III using 20% FM, 20% BY and 45% whole egg. The larvae fed on diets-II and III showed significantly (P<0.05) better length and weight gain than those of the larvae fed on diet-I. The larvae fed on diet- III showed the best survival rate (70%). However, the condition factor of the larvae fed on diet I was significantly better than those of the larvae fed on other two diets. The results of the study showed that C. batrachus larvae could be successfully reared with diet containing 45% whole egg, 20% yeast and 20% fish meal.