Effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, blood metabolites, proximate composition and digestive enzymes of Lebranche mullet (Mugil liza) Juveniles

This study verified the effects of feeding frequency on growth, blood metabolites, digestive enzyme activities (alkaline protease, acid protease, amylase and lipase) and proximate composition of Lebranche mullet juveniles. Fish with initial weight of 13.6 +/- 0.7 g were distributed in twelve tanks and fed one, three, five and seven times per day to apparent satiation for 60 days. While the final weight of fish fed only once a day attained just 15.4 +/- 0.7 g, those fed five or seven times per day reached 54.0 +/- 12.1 and 55.9 +/- 6.1 g respectively. The feed consumption also increased at high frequencies, but feed efficiency was higher (76.7 +/- 11.7%) when mullets were fed three times per day. In general, increasing feeding frequencies also increased blood content of metabolites (total protein, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol), possibly due to increased intake and absorption of nutrients. The response of digestive enzymes correlated with feeding efficiency, with higher activity in fish fed three or five times per day. Concerning whole-body proximate composition, no significant difference was observed in protein, but lipid content increased significantly with feed frequency. Based on growth performance and biochemical responses, we recommend feeding Lebranche mullet juveniles three to five times per day.