Effects of Feeding Frequency on Growth Performance and Production of Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) Reared in Cage

Optimum feeding schedule is one of the main things for the proper growth of fish and other animals. A study was conducted to optimize the effects of different feeding frequencies on growth performance and production of Rui (Labeo rohita) under pond cage culture system in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Labeo rohita with an average weight of 302.23±4.07g (mean ± SD) were randomly stocked in 9 cages at 30 fish/cage in all the treatment. Fish were fed (4% of body weight) a commercial floating feed with three different feeding schedules: feeding of fish thrice daily in T1treatment; twice in T2 treatment and once in T3 treatment. Water quality parameters were measured during the study period. The physico-chemical parameters of pond water were within suitable ranges for fish culture in cages. The obtained values of the water quality parameters were temperature 28.26 to 28.46°C, pH 6.91 to 6.94, DO 5.04 to 5.33 mg/l, CO2 2.95 to 3.02 mg/L. The mean final weight gain was significantly highest in T1 (345.05 g) a followed by T2 (324.66 g) and T3 (257.82 g). The Specific growth rate (SGR) value were significantly higher in T1 treatment (0.91% bwd-1; Body weight per day) than T2 (0.87% bwd-1) and T3 treatment (0.73% bwd-1). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) value was significantly lower in T1 fish group (2.72) than other two T2 (2.84) and T3 (3.44) treatments. The fish productions were 18.13, 17.55 and 15.67 kg/cage/cycle in T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The highest net profit was found (Bangladeshi Taka, BDT 1445.38) in T1 compared to T2 (BDT 1329.24) and T3 treatment (BDT 937.99). The cost benefit ratio (CBR) was significantly higher in T1 (0.57) than T2 (0.53) and T3 (0.37). The feeding schedule three times in a day was most suitable than other two schedules.