THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF JUVENILE YELLOW FIN SEABREAM (A CANTHOPAGRUS ARABICUS) FED AT DIFFERENT FEEDING RATES WHILE REARED IN FLOATING NET CAGES

Authors: N. Ahmad, P. J. A. Siddiqui, K. M. Khan, N. U. Akbar, M. Rashid, R. Masroor
Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS)
ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online)
Volume: 28  Issue: 4  Pages: 1014-1020
Year: 2018
DOI: NA
URL: https://doi.org/NA
Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum

Abstract:
This study investigated feeding management of yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus arabicus, juveniles under different feeding rates and its relationship to growth performance, survival, cannibalism and body composition. Thirty healthy fish 3 (21.87±0.22g initial weight) were stocked in 12 separate net cages 3.4m assigned to four groups: F1, F2, F3, and F4 to receive feed at 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% body weight per day (bw/d). The juveniles were fed twice daily with a diet containing 42% protein for seven weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, group F3, fed at 7% bw/d, had significantly (P< 0.05) higher percent weight gain, average daily weight gain and specific growth rate, followed by groups F2 (5% bw/d) and F4 ( 9% bw/d). The poorest growth performance was recorded in F1 ( 3% bw/d) . Cannibalism was not seen in any treatment group, and survival was recorded 100%. In the whole fish body proximate composition, protein, ash and moisture showed no change while lipid levels in the fish bodies increased with increasing feeding ratio. Based on the results, 7% bw/d was the optimum feeding rate for A. arabicus under given experimental conditions.

Keywords: Yellowfin seabream, growth performance, feeding rates, body composition, floating net cages.