effect of feed frequency on growth performances, feed utilization and biochemical composition of sterlet sturgeon, acipenser ruthenus

the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, feed consumption and body biochemical composition of acipenser ruthenus juveniles was investigated. the trial was performed using 150 fish with a mean initial weight of 50±1 g randomly introduced in fifteen tanks. fishes were fed at a feeding frequency of twice daily (t1), three times a day (t2), four times a day (t3), five times a day (t4) and six times a day (t5) at the rate of 3 percentage of wet body weight for 60 days. there was a significant difference (p< 0.05) in fish growth performance between the feeding frequencies except condition factor. the best growth rate was observed in the treatment where fish were fed five times a day. food conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, net protein utilization and net lipid utilization were significantly affected by different feeding frequencies. increased feeding frequency showed an improvement in nutritional indicators. a statistical comparison of the biochemical composition revealed a significant difference (p0.05), in ash content. based on the results of this study, five meals per day (t4) is recommended for juvenile sterlet sturgeon feeding.