LAUSR

Abstract Effects of live and dry feeds on intestinal morphology and growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, larvae (Burchell, 1822) were investigated from 2 days post hatching (dph) to 6 dph and 11 dph, respectively. Feeding trials were carried out at Fleuren and Nooijen hatchery, Netherlands, in glass tanks connected to a RAS system. Five test diets (Artemia nauplii combined with dry feed (A), decapsulated Artemia cysts combined with dry feed (B), Artemia nauplii only (C), decapsulated Artemia cysts only (D) and commercial dry feed (E)) were assigned randomly in triplicate. The proportion of live feed in the combined diets was gradually reduced until 6 dph. Thereafter, all treatments were fed on the dry feed. Histological parameters were analysed in the proximal, middle and distal part of the intestine using standard H and E staining methods. At the end of the experiment, final wet weight (17.90 ± 0.38 mg) and specific growth rate (SGR) (24.12 ± 0.35%/day) were significantly higher (P