The influence of feeding frequency and water temperature on the growth, feed utilization and body biochemical composition of juvenile benni fish

Experiment was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of varying water temperature and feeding frequency on the growth، survival، feed utilization and body composition in juvenile benni (Barbus sharpeyi). Juvenile benni with an initial body weight (BW) of 14. 31±0. 59 g were fed a diet contain 46. 27% protein، 20. 43 KJ/g energy at feeding frequency (once and twice per day) and reared at two water temperatures (24 and 28 °C) for 56 days. Twelve rectangular glass aquaria equipped with separate electric heaters used in the experiment. Highest and lowest mean body weight gain observed in two meals per day (8. 05 g) and once per day at 28 °C (5. 82 g)، respectively. Some growth factors such as mean weight gain and daily weight gain were affected significantly (P<0. 05) with increaseing feeding frequency (once to twice per day) at 28 °C، but feed conversion ratio، specific growth rate and for survival rate no significantly differences (P<0. 05) were recorded between the treatments. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) at 28 °C with two times feeding per day was highest. However، PER was shown significant difference (P<0. 05) with increase feeding frequency per a day at 28 °C. The best (lowest) mean food conversion ratio was obtained from two meal per day at 28C° and observed significant difference (P<0. 05) with rising feeding per day at both temperature. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) affected by water temperature significally (P<0. 05). The content of lipid tended to decrease with increasing feeding frequency at both temperature، and showed a significant difference (P<0. 05) between once and twice meal per day at 24 °C. While no significant difference between content of protein، ash and moisture with increasing water temperature and feeding frequency. Therefore، the study suggests that feeding frequency of two times daily at 28°C is suitable for optimum growth، sufficient feed utilization and raising production of juvenile benni Barbus sharpeyi.