The effect of different feeding frequency on growth indices, survival and body composition of Oriental River Prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849)

This research was carried out in order to identify the effects of different feeding frequency on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and body composition of oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) during 56 days. 180 oriental river prawns, with mean (±SE) weight 1.40±0.11g were counted and distributed randomly in twelve 70-liter glass tanks with 60 l water in 4 treatments each with 3 replicates cultured in same conditions (dietary feeding, dissolved oxygen, photoperiod, density, 2% feeding rate). Feeding were done 3, 4, 5 and 6 times/day with a constant commercial diet (50% protein, 13% fat, 12% ash, moisture 10-12 %). At the end of experiment, growth indices, feed conversion ratio, body composition ratio were measured for each treatment. Mean final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate in the treatment feeding 5 times/day was higher than the other treatments (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference in condition factor between treatments (p>0.05).The lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained in 5 times/day feeding and feeding 4 and 5 times/day treatments (68.80±1.8 and 77.60±2.5 %, respectively) had the highest survival rate. The highest body protein content (12.86±0.07 %) and fat content (3.46±0.02%) were obtained from the 5 times/day feeding. Results indicate that 5 times/day feeding has a significant difference in the increase of growth indices, survival rate, reduced feed conversion ratio, increased carcass protein and fat content, with other treatments (p<0.05).