Abstract

Seven growth periods were completed on juvenile velifera (Poecilia velifera) for a period of 2 weeks to determine the optimal water type for best daily growth, food intake, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, survival and condition factor.  Four water types (T1 = 25°C W₁, T2 = 30°C W₁, T3 = 25°C W₂, T4 = 30°C W₂) were used to grow up P. velifera for 105 days. In each aquarium, fifteen individuals were stocked and fed to satiation twice a day.  Bulk weight of each group was measured 2 weeks interval.  Growth rate did not increase with water temperature. Water quality made difference.  Fish with W₁ grew better than with W₂. Fish in T1 had the best growth (daily growth 10.37 mg/day).  Food intake was the highest in T1. Feed conversion ratio did not differ significantly among groups.  Survival was low among 4 groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 55.6, 53.3, 53.3, and 33.3%, respectively), but not significant. Condition factor was the best in T1 (1.61).

Key words: Water type, Poecilia velifera, growth, temperature, survival.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: W₁, Water type 1; W₂, water type 2; T, temperature; DG, daily growth; FCR, feed conversion ratio; FI, food intake; W_i, initial mean body weights;W_f, final mean body weights; WG, weight gain.