The effect of different feeding rates on growth indices, feed conversion ratio and body composition of Oriental River prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849)

This research was carried out in accordance with identification of effects of different feeding rates on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and body composition in Oriental River prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). According to this research, 180 oriental river prawns, with mean (± SE) weight about 1.40±0.18 g were counted and distributed in 12 aquariums with 4 treatments and 3 replicates in each treatment cultured with same conditions. Treatments were designed with different rates (1, 2, 3, 4 percent based on biomass). Prawns were fed 5 times a day with commercial diet for 56 days. Finally, growth indices and body composition ratio was calculated for each treatment. The results showed that the Average Final Weight, Weight Gain and Specific Growth Rate had significantly different in the treatment of feeding 3 % per day more than other treatments (p0.05). The lowest Feed Conversion Ratio was observed in treatment 3% feeding per day, and treatments with 3, 4 % feeding per day had the highest Survival Rate with 77.55± 2.6 and 64.37 ± 1.7 % respectively. Results indicate utility of feeding 3 percent during a day (treatment 3) that has a significant difference in the increase of survival rates, reduced feed conversion ratio and increased carcass protein and lipid, with other treatments (p