Effects of algal and animal food combinations on surfacing activity and food utilization in the climbing perch Anabas scandens

Abstract

A. scandens was fed on five different combinations of the alga Spirogyra maxima and goat-liver. With increasing liver supplementation, the following increases were noted: consumption of food from 31 to 152 cal/g live fish•day, assimilation efficiency from 88 to 98%, production rate from 1.5 to 45.5 cal/g. day and the ef'fu;:iency from 5 to 17%. For culturing A. scandens, supplementation of algal food up to 22% is recommended. To exchange atmospheric air, A. scandens surfaced 432 and 1296 times/day, when fed on 100% S. maxima and 1OO% liver, respectively. The period of elevated surfacing frequency observed in the fish following a meal wa liver-fed individuals.