title: Effect of stocking density and different diets on growth of Percula Clownfish, Amphiprion percula (Lacepede, 1802).
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of stocking density (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 fishL(-1)) and commercial marine fish diets (diet A, B, C and D) over four months on specific growth rate, condition factor, percentage without anomalous pigmentation (partial or total lack of white bands -miss-band) and survival of juvenile Amphiprion percula. Results showed that at 0.5 fishL(-1) densities induced the best survival (100%) and also the maximum percentage of fish without miss-band (58.33 +/-4.417%). The maximum SGR was obtained for the 0.5 fishL(-1) (0.459 ± 0.023% cm/day). However, the best condition factor (2.53 +/- 0.27) was achieved for 2 fishL(-1) densities. There were no significant differences in survival (68.9 to 84.5%), fish without miss-bands (18.03 to 26.92%) and condition factor (1.92 to 2.1) among diets during the experimental period. On the other hand, diet C (with 41% crude protein) supported the best SGR (0.485 ± 0.001% cmday(-1)). The results suggested that stocking density are critical and more relevant when compared with the different diet tested, namely on specific growth rate, condition factor, the miss-band and survival of juvenile percula clownfish. This study has particular significance with regards to anemonefishes husbandry in terms of survival and production efficiency.
authors.affiliation: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chambel
authors.affiliation: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Severiano
authors.affiliation: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.affiliation: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pedrosa
keywords: Amphiprion percula; Anemonefishes; Nutrition; Ornamental fish; Stocking density