Effects of different artificial feed brands on growth performance and survival of Air-breathing Shol fish (Channa striata) Fry

Abstract

The striped snakehead (Channa striata) is an economically important food fish valued for its meat quality and medicinal properties. The importance of this study is that limited comparative research is available on commercial feed brands for Channa striata fry and the outcomes can be used to identify appropriate feeds to enhance fry production. The study was conducted from May to November 2025 under controlled aquarium conditions to evaluate the effects of different commercial artificial feeds on the growth performance and survival of Channa striata fry. This study was carried out from May to November 2025 in regulated conditions of the aquarium. Twenty-five fry of Channa striata were used to assess the effect of different commercial artificial feeds on growth performance and survival; 16 fries survived at the end of the experimental period. Three commercial feed brands—Quality Gold, Osaka Green, and Tropical Granule Deluxe—were evaluated over a six-month rearing period, along with a mixed-feed treatment and a control. The mixed feed exhibited the highest growth performance, attaining a mean body weight gain of 55.49g and an average total length increment of 15.04 cm, and it also showed the highest survivability rate (80%). The Tropical Granule Deluxe feed produced the second-highest growth performance showing body weight 49.47g and a total length increment of 14.16cm, and survival rate of 80%. The Quality Gold showed moderate growth with body weight gain of 45.14g and total length increase of 13.52 cm, and survivability rate 60%. The Osaka Green feed resulted in comparatively lower growth performance having body weight gain of 38.73g, a length increase of 11.44 cm, and the lowest survivability rate (40%) among all treatments. The control aquarium, supplied with pond water and water hyacinth without any artificial feed, recorded a mean body weight 43.81g, an average total length increment of 10.18 cm, and a survivability rate of 60%. This study provides valuable insights into feed optimization strategies for air-breathing shoal fish and highlights the need for further research on species-specific nutritional requirements.

Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 14(1 & 2): 79-91, 2025 (June & December)