First Feeding of Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius, Hamilton 1822) Larvae: A Study on Egg Yolk, Rotifer, Infusoria and Spirulina

In this study, the effects of different feeds provided during the initial feeding period of Trichogaster lalius (dwarf gourami) larvae on larval survival were evaluated. Larvae reared under laboratory conditions were assigned to four dietary treatments (EY: boiled chicken egg yolk, RO: live rotifers, IN: infusoria, SP: live Spirulina) during days 3–5 post hatching, after which all groups were enriched with live Artemia on days 5–10. A total of 4800 larvae were distributed across 16 treatment groups. On day 10, larval abundance and total length (mm) were recorded, and survival percentages were subsequently calculated. The pooled survival rates at the end of the experiment were 95.50 ± 4.05 for EY, 95.50 ± 2.53 for RO, 58.58 ± 8.88 for IN, and 77.25 ± 10.23 for SP. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in survival between the EY and RO groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, significant differences were observed between the IN group and the SP group, as well as between IN and the remaining treatment groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences in total length were detected among the 16 groups at the end of the experiment (p > 0.303). Overall, the findings suggest that, under the present experimental conditions, larval survival of T. lalius was higher in the egg yolk and rotifer feeding treatments than in the infusoria and live Spirulina groups.