Rate of gastric digestion in the larvicidal fishes Aplocheilus lineatus (Cuv. & Val.) and Macropodus cupanus (Cuv. & Val.)

Abstract

In the larvicidal fishes Aplocheilus lineatus and Macropodus cupanus investigations on the rate of gastric digestion reveal that interspecific variations are apparent; however, within the species, digestion rate is not significantly altered by fish size provided the amount of food supplied is sufficient to fill the stomach. Gastric depletion is directly related to temperature, increasing temperature elevating the rate of digestion.