Effect of Feed Type and Age-at-weaning on Growth and Survival of Clownfish Amphiprion percula (Pomacentridae)

To simplify the weaning of clownfish Amphiprion percula from live food to artificial food, and to reduce the costs of feeding live food, three trials were undertaken to determine the best age for weaning. Twenty-nine-day-old post-hatch A. percula were weaned onto a fishmeal/caesin-based dry food which was an acceptable substitute for either Artemia or a moist food comprising Penaeus indicus and Donax serra. Larvae weaned 4 days after hatch (DAH) had lower survival than fish weaned 7 or 10 DAH. In juveniles weaned from 10 to 30 DAH good survival was obtained between 15 and 20 DAH suggesting that this is a suitable window for the weaning of this species.