Impacts of Feeding Restriction Regimes on Economic and Productive Performance of Nile Tilapia Fish

This study investigated the effect of feeding restriction regimes on economic and productive performance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Sixty Nile tilapia fish were randomly classified into three groups (n=10/group) with similar initial body weight. Group I (Control group) was fed three times daily for 32 days. Group II was deprived for 4 days and then re-fed for 16 days, while Group III was deprived for 8 days and then re-fed for 32 days. The experiment was terminated after 10 weeks. All groups were fed on commercial diet at 2% of body mass. Indicate parameters measured were weight gain, feed efficiency, feed conversion ratio, economic conversion ratio and water quality. The above parameters were measured every 2 weeks. The results revealed that, after 64 days, Fishes which exposed to long starvation periods (8F:32R) consumed significantly (P= .01) more feed compared to other the restricted group (4F:16R). The highest feed efficiency was observed in fish exposed to 4F:16R. However, this group showed less feed intake than the 8F:32R and control groups. Moreover, cost benefit analysis under restriction indicated that, the highest return observed in control group and restricted fish for 4 days and the lowest in restricted fish for 8 days (P= .05). On the other hand, parameters of water quality (pH, Dissolved oxygen, Turbidity and Ammonia) were significantly (P= .01) affected by feed restriction regimes. Turbidity and ammonia levels were more in control group than the restricted groups.