Effects of different feeding frequency on Siamese fighting fish (Betta splenden) and Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) Juveniles: Data on growth performance and survival rate

Optimal feeding frequency in aquaculture is vital for the sustainable and economical production of healthy, high-quality fish. This article described the growth performance and survival rate data in the juvenile phase of two commercially important ornamental fish species; Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish) and Poecilia reticulata (Guppy) reared at different feeding frequency. Thirty days old juveniles of both species were randomly distributed into 12 3 L rectangular plastic tank (n = 10 fish/tank; three replicates per feeding frequency) where they were subjected to four different feeding frequency treatments (1 meal/day (T1), 2 meal/day (Control), 3 meal/day (T2) and four meal/day (T3)) using commercial ornamental fish micropellets for 60 days. The juvenile's weight and length were measured once a week while the number of live fish were recorded daily. The amount of feed intake was also recorded by weighing in the weight of micropellet left after feeding. At the end of the experimental period, the specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR) and condition factor (K) were calculated for growth performance using the weight, length and feed intake data while the survival rate was calculated using the number of live fish data. Normality test, One-way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey pos-hoc test were then performed on the data obtained from the calculation of SGR, FCR, K an survival rate. The data presented in this article will aid the rearing process of both species’ juveniles for commercial, experimental and personal usage purpose.


a b s t r a c t
Optimal feeding frequency in aquaculture is vital for the sustainable and economical production of healthy, high-quality fish. This article described the growth performance and survival rate data in the juvenile phase of two commercially important ornamental fish species; Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish) and Poecilia reticulata (Guppy) reared at different feeding frequency. Thirty days old juveniles of both species were randomly distributed into 12 3 L rectangular plastic tank ( n = 10 fish/tank; three replicates per feeding frequency) where they were subjected to four different f eeding frequency treatments (1 meal/day (T1), 2 meal/day (Control), 3 meal/day (T2) and four meal/day (T3)) using commercial ornamental fish micropellets for 60 days. The juvenile's weight and length were measured once a week while the number of live fish were recorded daily. The amount of feed intake was also recorded by weighing in the weight of micropellet left after feeding. At the end of the experimental period, the specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR) and condition factor (K) were calculated for growth performance using the weight, length and feed intake data while the survival rate was calculated using the number of live fish data. Normality test, One-way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey pos-hoc test were then performed on the data obtained from the calculation of SGR, FCR, K an survival rate. The data presented in this article will aid the rearing process of both species' juveniles for commercial, experimental and personal usage purpose. ©

Value of the data
• Betta and guppy are important species for commercial and experimental purpose due to their unique biology. These data will aid the rearing process of both species' juveniles for commercial, experimental and personal usage purpose. • These data will benefit farmers, breeders, scientist and ornamental hobbyist.
• These data can be used by scientist to ensure the optimum performance/conditions of their fish (in terms of growth and survival) during experiments thus guaranteeing the success of their research.
Having the data on the optimum feeding frequency of both species can help farmers, breeders and aquarium enthusiast to increase production and profits while reducing their production cost associating to feed. Table 1 The SGR (weight and length), food conversion ratio, condition factor and survival rate of B. splendens and P. reticulata juveniles at different feeding frequency after 60 days of experimental period. Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different with one another ( P < 0.05).

Fig. 1.
Survival rate curve of B. splendens and P. reticulata juveniles fed with different feeding frequency throughout the 60 days experimental period.

Data description
Raw data on the weight, growth, feed intake and number of fish survived throughout the 60 days experimental period are as in [1] . Table 1 describe the results on the specific growth rate (SGR) in term of weight and length, food conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (K) and survival rate of both species at the end of the experiment which was calculated and analysed based on [1] . All data in the table is presented as mean ± standard deviation. Meanwhile, the survival rate curve of both species for 60 days is represented in Fig. 1 .

Location of study
The study was conducted at the Ornamental Fish Breeding Unit, Faculty of Fisheries and Food Sciences freshwater hatchery, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Fish source and maintenance
The ornamental fish breeding unit maintained both species fish stocks which was obtained from routine breeding. 20-30 individuals of each species healthy broodstock were randomly chosen for breeding purposes.

Betta splendens
10 pairs of healthy mature B. splendens broodstock (4 to 6 cm in total length) were paired randomly in rectangular plastic tanks filled with 3 L of freshwater in a static indoor water system. Naturally dried brown Catappa/India Almond leaves ( Terminalia cattapa ) were included in each aquarium (1 leaf per aquarium) to lower the water pH thus inducing natural breeding. Water quality was monitored daily (API Master Freshwater testing kit, US) and maintained at 0 ppt, pH 5-6, 26-28 °C. Water changes were made when necessary to avoid stress and disturbance to the fish breeding process. Broodstocks were fed with tropical fish micropellet (Sanyu Ichiban, China) till satiation twice daily at 9 am and 4 pm. Once every two days, dried blood worms were fed as a supplement to the broodstock.
The female was first separated from the male in the same tank by using clear plastic cups. Once both sexes showed interest to breed (male preparing bubble nest and swimming close to females), the female were release from the plastic cup for breeding to occur which usually take place immediately or up to three days depending on fish. Male fish usually guarded and care the eggs until they hatched (24-36 h). Once the larvae hatched and started swimming freely, they were carefully transferred into a 5 L stock tank where they were pooled with other larvae of the same age at the stocking density of 5 fish/L. The same water quality parameters used in broodstock propagation applies.
The larvae were fed with freshly prepared artemia (Bio-Marine, USA) twice a day (same time as the broodstock) ad libitum. Weaning into commercial micropellets (Sanyu Ichiban, China) takes place at when the juveniles are at 3 weeks old. Once they reach 30 days old, 120 juveniles were chosen randomly for the trial.

Poecilia reticulata
Since female P. reticulata has the ability to store male sperm, only female broodstock (4-5 cm total length) were chosen and acclimatized for two weeks prior to parturition. The females were chosen based on the appearance of its gravid spot [2] . They were reared in a 5 L rectangle plastic tanks filled with freshwater (0 ppt, pH 6.5-7, 26-28 °C) at the stocking density of 2 ind/L in a stagnant indoor water system. Gentle aeration was provided in each tank. Water quality was monitored daily (API Master Freshwater testing kit, US) and water changes were conducted once every three days. The broodstocks were fed till satiation twice daily (9 am and 4 pm) with commercial tropical fish micropellet (Sanyu Ichiban, China). Dried bloodworm was also offered once every two days ad libitum as a supplement. Uneaten food and faeces were siphoned out after each meal to maintain water quality. The photoperiod was set at 12 L: 12 D (light: dark). After acclimatization, each female was housed individually in a breeding trap (green plastic net; mesh size 6 mm) fitted in a 3 L rectangular plastic aquarium filled with 2.5 L of freshwater. This were done to avoid the broodstock from eating new-born fish. The tank was monitored every morning (10 am) and evening (5 pm) for the presence of new-born juveniles since routine observation in our lab showed that parturition occurs regularly at either period. Once parturition occurs, the female broodstock will be removed from the tanks. The newborn will be reared for three days in the same tank before being transferred into a 5 L rectangular plastic stock tanks where they will be pooled with progenies of the same age from other broodstock at the stocking density of 4 fish/L. The new-born juveniles were fed ad libitum with artemia (Bio-Marine, USA) (9 am and 4 pm) prepared fresh daily before they were gradually weaned to commercial tropical fish micropellets (Sanyu Ichiban, China) starting at 12 days after parturition (DAP). Hundred and twenty juveniles

Table 2
Feeding frequency and schedule.
aged 30 DAP were then chosen randomly for the different frequency feeding trails. Water quality and routine water maintenance throughout the propagation of juveniles were done similar to those of broodstock.

Experimental design
One hundred and twenty individuals of each species were chosen randomly and equally distributed into 12 3 L rectangular plastic tank ( n = 10 fish per tank; stoking density: B. splendens = 5 fish/L, P. reticulata = 4 fish/L). Arrangements of tanks were done based on A 3 × 4 randomized design ( Fig. 2 ). The feeding schedule and frequency is as described in Table 2 . The feeding trials of both species were conducted simultaneously for eight weeks.

Data collection and calculation
Measurement of body weight (gram) and total length (cm) were done once a week for eight weeks using electronic balance and a ruler while the survival was measured by counting number of live fish daily. The following formulas was used to calculate the growth performance and survival rate [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]:

Statistical analysis
IBM SPSS Statistical analysis software (version 25) was used to analyse all the data. Shapiro-Wilk normality test were first conducted prior to One-way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey post-hoc test (where applicable) to determine the differences in the growth performance and survival rate of the different feeding frequency [6] . Differences were considered to be significant at P < 0.05. All analysed data are presented as mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise stated.