REPRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH OF REDHEAD CICHLID (Cichlasoma synspilum) AND ITS HYBRID WITH MIDAS (Amphilophus citrinellum)
The reproduction and early life history of the blood parrot, one of the most popular hybrid cichlids, has received surprisingly little attention in the scientific literature despite world trade estimated at $10 million. We performed two spawnings of both C. synspilum (Cs) and hybrids (Cm). Juveniles began consuming exogenous live food after 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) at 28-30oC, prior to complete yolk absorption (Fig. 1). Following 10 days of feeding with Artemia nauplii, fish were transitioned to formulated feed (Otohime, B2) and then Otohime S1 at 28 dpf. We did not observe differences in growth of hybrids and Cs during juvenile stages.
In parallel, a feeding study was carried out with Cs on the acceptance of the formulated commercial diets in comparison to live feed. Progenies from one pair of Cs were divided into 12 glass aquaria (156 fish per replicate) and fed one of three commercial starter feeds or Artemia nauplii for 21 days of growth (Fig. 2). Fish fed Artemia were significantly larger (0.29±0.03 g) than other treatments and differences were also significant among commercial diet groups. However, survival was 97+3% in all diet groups and so we conclude that in this species formulated feeds can completely replace live Artemia during early life.