Effects of Feeding Frequency on Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

In present study the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, feed efficiency and survival rate of juvenile of grass carp were investigated. Three groups of juvenile grass carp (average weight 4.31±0.1 g) designed with three feeding frequencies one meal a day (D1), two meals a day (D2) and four meals a day (D3) with two replicates of each treatment combination were applied in this experiment (60 days). The grass carp in experimental treatments were fed by Lemnea sp. with 20% of body weight. Feeding frequencies had significant effect on growth performance (P<0.05). The final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher in group D3 (P<0.05) in this comparison. Similar responses were observed for body weight increased (BWI) and daily growth rate (DGR) and the best BWI and DGR were obtained in D3 group, that showed significantly different to other groups (P<0.05). The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained from four daily feeding (D3), however there were not significantly different between D2 and D3 (P>0.05). Also feeding frequencies had positive effect on fish survival rate (P<0.05). The best results in growth performance and survival rate were obtained by feeding four meals a day (D3) and somewhat in D2.