Work

Effects of different feeds for juvenile axolotl Ambystoma velasci on growth, digestive efficiency and digestive enzyme activity.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: Evaluate the effects of natural and commercial diets on survival, growth performance, nutrimental efficiency, apparent protein digestibility, and digestive enzyme activity in juvenile Ambystoma velasci reared under captive conditions. Design/methodology/approach: The effects of four feeds on survival, growth performance, nutrimental efficiency, and digestive enzyme activity were evaluated during a 90-day in juvenile axolotls (0.73 ± 0.11 g). A completely randomized design was applied as treatments: TT (Tenebrio molitor larvae), TL (Lumbricus sp.), TTL (50:50 Tenebrio/Lumbricus), and TC (commercial axolotl feed), with six replicates/treatment and five juveniles/replicate. Results: The best survival was observed with the TT treatment (100%), that was significantly high than the observed in the TTL and TC; while growth performance and nutrimental efficiency were significantly higher in juveniles fed TC diet. The highest gastric acidic protease (pepsin) activity was observed in TTL and TL treatments, whereas alkaline protease activity in intestine was highest in TL juveniles. Elevated pepsin activity across treatments indicates effective gastric protein hydrolysis, while differences in intestinal enzyme activity reflect dietary modulation of digestive processes. Limitations on study/implications: Despite originating from the same spawning event, individuals did not exhibit homogeneous growth in terms of length (cm) and weight (g), which limited the allocation of a greater number of organisms per treatment. Furthermore, the species is characterized by facultative neoteny. Findings/conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that juvenile A. velasci can efficiently digest and utilize a variety of protein sources. Among the evaluated diets, the TC promoted the most efficient growth and feed utilization, supporting its suitability for captive management in conservation and aquaculture-oriented programs.

Source: Agro Productividad

DOI: 10.32854/3gfcct83

Authors: Martha Patricia Hernández-Vergara, Herlindo Ramírez-López, Carlos I. Pérez-Rostro, Virginia Alcántara-Méndez

Institutions: Instituto Tecnológico de Boca del Río, Tecnológico Nacional de México

Language: English

Topic: Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Subfield: Aquatic Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Tecnológico Nacional de México