Impact of feeding system on the behaviour and performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of feeding system on the behaviour and performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). 150 fish were distributed in to 5 equal groups and subjected to the following feeding schedule; the first group (G1) was fed 3 times /day at (9 am?11 am-1 pm), the second group (G2) was fed two times per day at (9 am?11 am), the third group (G3) was fed two times / day at (9 am-1 pm), the fourth group (G4) was fed two times /day at (11 am-1 pm) and the fifth group (G5) was fed one time / day at (9 am) . The results revealed that feeding of Nile tilapia fingerlings three times per day is better than both one and two times / day due to increasing the chance of feed intake and ingestive behaviour which lead to optimum growth rate, decreasing surfacing behaviour, improving swimming behaviour and reducing aggressive behaviour due to decreasing competition for food, this confirms that feeding frequency plays an important role in achieving Nile tilapia welfare and indicates the importance of feeding as an essential factor that should be adjusted in aquaculture industry for high growth .

Automated summary

The study found that feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings three times per day is more effective than feeding once or twice a day, as it increases the chance of feed intake and ingestive behavior leading to optimal growth.