A study on the use of freshwater rotifers (Brachionus angularis) as initial live feed for pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) larvae was undertaken to assess if this initial feed improved P. hypophthalmus survival during the first 20 days of rearing. This study was comprised of three trials. The first trial contained three treatments and assessed the effectiveness of freshwater rotifers as initial feed compared to homemade feed and water flea (Moina macrocopa). In the second trial, P. hypophthalmus larvae were fed with (i) 100% freshwater rotifers, (ii) 100% water fleas, and (iii) a combination of freshwater rotifers and water fleas (freshwater rotifers fed during first 3 days and then water fleas fed for remainder of experiment). In the third trial, the fish larvae were fed 3 densities of freshwater rotifers and then water fleas (3, 5 and 7 individuals per mL) to determine the most suitable feeding density for P. hypophthalmus larvae. Mouth opening was measured at day 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 20 whereas growth and survival were assessed at the end of each trial. These experiments demonstrated that P. hypophthalmus larvae: 1) exhibited a significant increase in survival rate when fed B. angularis rotifers or Moina micrura water fleas compared to homemade feed, 2) exhibited a significant increase in growth and survival rates when fed a combination of freshwater rotifers (first 3 days) and then water fleas (remainder) compared to feeding either freshwater rotifers or water fleas only, and 3) preferred a density of 5 to 7 individual freshwater rotifers and then water fleas per mL.