Effect of mixed feeding schedules with varying dietary protein levels on the growth performances of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linn.)

摘要

The applicability of mixed feeding schedule with varying protein levels in common carp was determined in the present study to reduce feed input cost. Acclimatized common carp, Cyprinus carpi Linn (12.06 +/- 0.04 g), were distributed in six experimental groups with 3 replicate each comprising ten fingerlings and reared for 8 weeks period in FRP tanks with recycling water system fitted with electrically operated aerators, using completely randomized design. Two kind diets comprising 20% crude protein considered as low protein (LP) diet and 30% crude protein considered as high protein (HP) diets were prepared. Fish of HP fed only HP diet, fish of LP fed only LP diet, fish of 1LP/1HP fed alternatively LP and HP diet at 1 day interval, fish of 3LP/3HP fed alternatively LP and HP diet at 3 days interval, fish of 7LP/7HP fed alternatively LP and HP diet at 7 days interval and fish of 14LP/14HP fed alternatively LP and HP diet at 14 days interval at twice daily for 8 weeks trial period. Results indicated that fish of 1LP/1HP and 3LP/3 HP showed comparable growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) to the fish of HP but fish of 7LP/7HP, 14LP/14HP and LP were unable to show growth compensation during 8 weeks trial period. Muscle composition of fish indicated that the higher growth efficiency during realimentation was probably due to protein growth rather than fat deposition in gut. Thus, it is suggested that for profitable carp culture, farmers can use mixed feeding schedule with alternate feeding of low protein and high protein diets at 1 or 3 days interval as a means of minimizing the cost of production.