Effects of different feeding frequencies on growth, body composition, and fillet composition of juvenile sunshine bass, Morone chrysops X M. saxatilis, grown indoors.

摘要

In an effort to feed sunshine bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) efficiently, promote optimal growth, and reduce labor costs associated with feeding, sunshine bass were fed one of four feeding schedules: once per day, twice per day, once every other day, and twice every other day for 10 weeks. Ten fish were stocked into each of sixteen 110-L aquaria with four replications per treatment. At the end of the feeding trial, percentage weight gain of sunshine bass fed twice/day was higher (P < 0.05) (342%) compared to fish fed all other feeding frequencies. Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed twice/day was significantly higher (1.85%/day) compared to fish fed once every other day (0.69%/day) and twice every other day (1.18%/day) but not differentfrom fish fed once/day (1.51%/day). The amount of diet consumed by fish fed twice/day was significantly higher (119 g diet/fish) compared to fish fed all other feeding frequencies. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish fed twice/day was significantly higher (1.50) compared to fish fed once/day (1.28) and once every other day (1.15) but not different from fish fed twice every other day (1.35). Percentage fillet weight of fish fed once/day and twice/day were significantly higher (20.3 and 21.2%, respectively) compared to fish fed once every other day (15.7%) but not different from fish fed twice every other day (18.8%). Percentage lipid in fillet was not significantly different among all other treatments and averaged 9.7%. Percentage protein in fillet of fish fed once every other day and twice every other day was significantly higher (90 and 82.1%, respectively) compared to fish fed once/day and twice/day (81.1% and 81.5%, respectively). The results suggest that producers growing small juvenile sunshine bass indoors should feed fish twice daily. This feeding regimen allows for higher growth rates, without adverse effects on body or fillet compositions.