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Effect of photoperiod and feeding frequency on growth and feed utilization of fingerlings Persian sturgeon ( Acipenser persicus )
Author(s) -
Zolfaghari Mehdi,
Imanpour Mohammad Reza,
Najafi Esfandyar
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2010.02749.x
Subject(s) - photoperiodism , biology , zoology , acipenser , sturgeon , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , feed conversion ratio , body weight , endocrinology , botany
The effects of photoperiod (12L:12D and 18L:6D) and feeding frequency (three, four and five evenly spaced daily feedings) of 10% biomass per day during light hours on growth and stress response of Persian sturgeon ( Acipenser persicus ) fingerlings were evaluated. The interaction between photoperiod and feeding frequency was not significant ( P >0.05). Faster growth was observed in fish exposed to an 18L:6D photoperiod ( P <0.01). The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was also better with an 18L:6D photoperiod ( P <0.05). Fish fed four and five meals per day grew similarly ( P >0.05) and faster than when fed only three meals ( P <0.01). The FCE with four or five meals per day was better than with three meals ( P <0.05). At harvest, the proximate composition was similar in all treatments ( P >0.05). Stress indicators (cortisol, glucose and haematocrit) did not differ between photoperiods ( P <0.05). The results showed that 0.9–8.0 g Persian sturgeon fingerlings should be reared with an 18L:6D photoperiod and fed four times per day to obtain good growth and FCE.