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Email the author (Login required) Effect of commercial diets on growth performance and stress response in tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) juveniles: a first approach
Submited: 2026-03-03 23:54:48 | Published: 2026-08-20 18:44:46
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol54-issue4-fulltext-3632
Abstract
Clownfish or anemone fish (Amphiprion spp.) are among the most commercialized marine ornamental fish species in the world. The present study evaluated three commercial aquaculture diets (A, 40% crude protein (CP), 9% crude fat (CF); B, 45% CP, 15% CF; C, 38% CP, 6% CF) on the growth performance and response to stress of tomato clownfish Amphiprion frenatus juveniles during six weeks. Growth performance was evaluated through final weight and length, weight gain, condition factor, specific growth rate, and feed conversion factor. Stress response was assessed using novel environment and mirror individual stress tests, performed in two sets in the second and fifth weeks. Results demonstrated that diet B not only significantly increased (P < 0.05) fish growth performance and improved feed conversion rate, but also raised activity and swimming speed (P < 0.05) in the novel environment test and the number of attack attempts in the mirror test (P < 0.05), compared to diets A and C. Additionally, tomato clownfish showed consistent behavioral responses over time. These results are of interest for the ornamental fish aquaculture industry to select adequate diets and to develop protocols to improve welfare of this fish species in captivity.
