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Effect of feeding frequency on growth, feed utilization, and size variation of juvenile gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio )
Author(s) -
Zhou Z.,
Cui Y.,
Xie S.,
Zhu X.,
Lei W.,
Xue M.,
Yang Y.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0426.2003.00453.x
Subject(s) - biology , carp , juvenile , zoology , carassius auratus , dry matter , feed conversion ratio , omnivore , feeding behavior , fish <actinopterygii> , body weight , fishery , ecology , endocrinology , predation
Summary Juvenile (3.0 ± 0.2 g) gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio ) were fed to satiation for 8 weeks to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on growth, feed utilization and size variation. Five feeding frequencies were tested: two meals per day (M2), three meals per day (M3), four meals per day (M4), 12 meals per day (M12) and 24 meals per day (M24). The results showed that daily food intake increased significantly with the increase in feeding frequency and there was no significant difference between daily food intakes in M12 and M24 treatments. Growth rate, feed efficiency increased significantly with increasing feeding frequencies. Size variation was not affected by feeding frequency. Apparent digestibility of dry matter was not influenced by feeding frequency, while apparent digestibility of protein and energy increased significantly at high feeding frequencies. The feeding frequency had no significant effect on the moisture, lipid, protein, or energy contents of gibel carp, while the ash content decreased with increased feeding frequency. It was recommended that 24 meals per day was the optimal feeding frequency for juvenile gibel carp.