EFFECT OF FEEDING FREQUENCY ON BEHAVIOUR AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NILE TILAPIA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City

2 Department of Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on behaviour and growth performance of Nile tilapia. Sixteen Nile tilapia fish classified into three groups (n=10/group, 2 replicates) with initial mean body weight 38.5 g. The first group fed two times daily. The second group fed three times daily. The third group fed four times daily. All groups were fed on commercial diet at 2% of body mass. The amount of feed given was adjusted every two weeks according to new fish weights in each group. Results demonstrated that, after 10 weeks the overall body weight of fish fed three and four times daily was higher than overall body weight of fish fed two times daily. Weight gain and SGR values of second group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.01). The highest feed consumption was observed in the fish fed 3 and 4 times daily and the lowest feed conversion ratio was recorded in group fed 3 times daily. Feeding frequency significantly increased foraging in the fish fed 2 times daily. Resting, chafing and eliminative behaviours increased in the fish fed 3 and 4 times daily but feeding frequency had no on aggressive behaviours. Additionally, Feeding frequency had significant effect on water quality parameters. Feeding fish twice a day increased water PH than fish fed three and four times groups. However, turbidity and ammonia of water of fish fed four times was significantly higher than turbidity of water of fish fed two times.

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