In&#64258 uence of ㅇdfferent feeding frequenies on the growth, body composition and blood chemistry of juvenile mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri)

Abstract

We investigated the effect of different feeding frequencies (1, 2, 3, or 4 meals a day) on the growth performance, body composition and blood chemistry of juvenile mandarin fish(Siniperca scherzeri) to determine the optimal feeding regime for commercially reared fish. Three replicate groups of fish (initial mean weight 7.5 g) were fed to apparent satiety with pelleted diets for 8 weeks. The weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed one meal a day were significantly lower than those of fish fed two, three and four meals a day. Whole-body analysis showed that the amounts of crude protein, lipid, ash and moisture in fish were not significantly affected by the feeding frequency. The amount of plasma cholesterol was significantly lower in fish fed one meal a day than in those fed two, three, or four meals a day. Taken together the proper feeding frequency for the optimum growth of mandarin fish weighing from 7 to 20 g is two meals a day under these experimental conditions.or commercially reared fish. Three replicate groups of fish (initial mean weight 7.5 g) were fed to apparent satiety with pelleted diets for 8 weeks. The weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed one meal a day were significantly lower than those of fish fed two, three and four meals a day. Whole-body analysis showed that the amounts of crude protein, lipid, ash and moisture in fish were not significantly affected by the feeding frequency. The amount of plasma cholesterol was significantly lower in fish fed one meal a day than in those fed two, three, or four meals a day. Taken together the proper feeding frequency for the optimum growth of mandarin fish weighing from 7 to 20 g is two meals a day under these experimental conditions.