Feeding frequency influences the growth performance of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) in cage culture

This study examined the growth response of yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus arabicus, reared in floating net cage fed at variable daily feeding frequencies. Thirty healthy fish (۴۹.۷±۰.۳ g initial weight) were stocked in each of the ۱۲ net cages (۱.۵×۱.۵×۱.۵m). Three cages in each group were assigned to four different feeding frequency i.e., two, three, four and six times/day designated as FF۱, FF۲, FF۳ and FF۴, respectively. Semi-purified diet (۴۲% protein) was used to feed at seven percent body weight (%BW) day-۱ for a total period of forty five days. The fish length and weight were measured fortnightly and the feeding rate was adjusted according to the new weight. At the end of the trial all fish remained healthy and active with survivals recorded ۹۵-۱۰۰%. The final weight, average daily weight gain (ADG) and specific growth rate (SGR) values were significantly higher for fish in groups FF۳ and FF۴ compared to FF۱ and FF۲. The SGR was the highest in groups FF۳ (۱.۳۰±۰.۰۲) and FF۴ (۱.۳±۰.۰۴) significantly different from FF۱ (۱.۰۹±۰.۰۱) and FF۲ (۰.۹۹±۰.۰۲) groups. Whole body proximate composition (protein, ash, moisture and lipid) remained similar in all the treatment groups. It may be concluded that yellowfin seabream, A. arabicus, may be grown in floating cages effectively by feeding four times day-۱ to achieve significantly better growth.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fish juveniles ، Sea bream ، Feeding trial ، Net cages ، Growth rate.