Effect of feeding frequency on growth, survival and feed utilization in fingerlings of Catla catla (Hamilton) , Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) in outdoor rearing systems

Fingerling rearing of Indian major carps, Catla catla , Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala , were conducted in concrete tanks under a polyculture system at a density of 0.3 million fry ha −1 to evaluate the effect of one, two or three feedings per day on growth, survival and feed utilization. Fry were fed with formulated supplementary diet at 10% of biomass per day during the first 15 days, followed by 8% in the next 15 days and 6% thereafter, for 60 days. Feeding of fish three times daily led to higher growth (103.9±8.5 mm/10.3±2.4 g) than those feeding twice (100.2±4.8 mm/9.9±1.5 g) or once (97.2±9.8 mm/9.4±2.1 g) daily, although the values were not significantly different ( P >0.05). Survival rate ranging between 72.3% and 75.1% also did not vary significantly ( P >0.05) among the treatments. However, higher feeding frequencies resulted in better feed utilization as evident from decreasing feed conversion ratio values. The present study suggested requirement of a higher feeding frequency for rohu compared with catla and mrigal.