EFFECT OF FEEDING FREQUENCY ON GROWTH, FOOD COMPOSITION AND BODY COMPOSITION OF JUVENILE SHORT BARBELED VELVETCHIN (HAPALOGENYS NIGRIPINNIS) IN SEA CAGE

Abstract

We investigated the optimal feeding frequency for juvenile short barbeled velvetchin by examining changes in growth, food consumption, and body composition. WG, SGR and FI of the fish fed three and four meals per day were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of one and two meals per day, but were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between three and four meals per day (Table I). FE and CV were not significantly affected by feeding frequency (P > 0.05). The three and four meals per day had significantly higher mean food consumption at 08:30 compared to that at other feeding times. Contents of crude protein and crude ash of the whole body of fish were not significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the feeding frequency. However, fish fed one meal per day showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher moisture content than fish fed two, three and four meals per day. Crude lipid content of the fish fed three and four meals per day were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of one and two meals per but were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between three and four meals per day. 0.05) higher than those of one and two meals per day, but were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between three and four meals per day (Table I). FE and CV were not significantly affected by feeding frequency (P > 0.05). The three and four meals per day had significantly higher mean food consumption at 08:30 compared to that at other feeding times. Contents of crude protein and crude ash of the whole body of fish were not significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the feeding frequency. However, fish fed one meal per day showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher moisture content than fish fed two, three and four meals per day. Crude lipid content of the fish fed three and four meals per day were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of one and two meals per but were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between three and four meals per day.