Development of an Efficient Fish Feed for Catla catla Post Larvae to Enhance the Survival Rates of Nursery Stages by Using Available Raw Materials

This study aimed to identify a new feed for Catla catla post larvae. There is no suitable feed in Sri Lanka for post-larvae of Indian carp. A complete randomized design was used. Two feeds were formulated using different nutrient compositions with 32 % and 25 % of the fish meal separately. The formulated feeds were used as treatment one and treatment two. Commercial feed was used as the control. Catla catla post-larvae were stocked at a density of 300 post larvae per m2 in nine cement tanks. Growth parameters were measured every two other days. Feeds were formulated according to the nutrient requirement of Catla catla post larvae. Water quality parameters were measured daily to maintain the water quality at the proper level. T-test preformed in Mini tab 16.0. Total body weight and length were significantly different (p<0.05). The survival percentage was higher in T1. Treatment feeds were not affected by the water quality parameters. Catla catla post-larvae show a maximum increase in length, survival percentage and weight in T1. It was concluded that T1 has a good combination of fish meal for Catla catla post-larvae. This study will help in future feed formulation for post-larvae feeds in developing nations.