EFFECTS OF FEEDING FREQUENCY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THE JUVENILE BAGRID CATFISH, CHRYSICHTHYS NIGRODIGITATUS

Abstract

This study was presented to evaluate the effects of feeding frequency on growth performance, feed utilization, proximate composition and water quality parameters of the Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus). Four groups of fishes were fed at four different feeding frequencies; once, twice, thrice and four times per day (Trt1, Trt2, Trt3& Trt4, respectively).. C. nigrodigitatus, with an initial weight of 24.80 ± 0.99 g, were stocked at 30 fishes per concrete tanks, with dimensions of 3 m×1 m× 1 m and fed to apparent satiation in accordance to the designated feeding frequencies. Fish fed Trt2 recorded ammonia content of 0.26 ± 0.04 and was significantly lower than fish fed Trt4 (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was detected in values of temperature, pH, nitrite and nitrate. The maximum final weight (67.20 ± 2.07) and specific growth rate (4.13 ± 0.03) were observed in fish fed Trt2 and were significantly higher than all other groups (P<0.05) A significant difference was recorded among treatments with respect to protein efficiency ratio, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Protein efficiency ratio was higher in fish fed Trt 2 (1.72 ± 0.08) and was significantly higher than fish fed Trt3 (0.87 ± 0.06) and Trt4 (0.92 ± 0.06). Fish fed Trt2 consumed more feed (42.01 ± 4.17) and was significantly higher than all other groups. In conclusion, the optimum feeding frequency of Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) was proved to be two times a day with equal intervals.