Effect of feeding frequency on growth and size variation in juvenile pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.)

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of feeding frequency (one or three rations or continuous feeding with artificial feed) on the juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) growth rate, intra-group body weight variability and feed utilization. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the fish (approximate initial body weight 5 g) were fed in excess (5.0-3.5% of stock biomass) while in the second (approximate initial body weight 21 g) a restricted feed ration (1.0-0.8% of stock biomass) was applied. The fish were reared in cylindrical tanks that were a part of the recirculating system. The applied feeding frequencies did not have a significant effect on the analyzed zootechnical parameters (body weight, condition factor, intra-group body weight variability, feed conversion ratio). This pertained to both the fish fed in excess and the restricted regime.

Keywords

• sander lucioperca
• feeding schedule
• feed ration
• growth
• size dispersion