Effect of feeding frequency on performance of jundia juveniles

The influence of feeding frequency was evaluated on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion and survival of jundia juveniles. Twelve groups of 280 fish (7.47 +/- 1.73 g) were each stocked in twelve ponds (2 fish/m(2)) and fed to apparent satiety an extruded commercial feed containing 42% CP In four feeding schedules: 1, 2, 3 and 4 times a day, in triplicate, for 120 days ( May to September, 2003). Average weight gain was recorded by sampling 10% of the total fish/ pond approximately every forty days. Water quality was monitored throughout the experimental period by measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, ammonia, alkalinity and hardness which were 18.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C, 7.9 +/- 0.2 mg/L, 8.0 +/- 0.8, 109 +/- 29 cm, 0.5 mg/L, 46 mg/L CaCO3, and 40 mg/L CaCO3, respectively. Fish weight gain and specific growth rate increased as feeding frequency increased. Juveniles fed four times a day showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate than fish fed just once a day. Feed conversion did not differ significantly among feeding frequencies, however survival was significantly higher for the groups fed three times a day when compared to the ones fed only once a day. Therefore, jundia juveniles weighing from 8 to 45 g should be fed at least twice a day, when raised in earthen ponds at an average water temperature of 18 degrees C.