Influence of Feeding Frequency on Feed intake, Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Fed Pelleted or Extruded Diets

摘要

In an 83-day-nutrition trial, effects of feed production technique and feeding frequency on feed intake, growth and nutrient utilization were determined in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Three thousand six hundred fish (170 ± 2.6 g) were randomly allocated to experimental sea cages (approx. 5800 1) according to a 2 x 2 experimental plan [2 processing techniques: steam pelleted diet (P) vs. extruded diet (E); 2 feeding frequencies: twice (2) vs. 3 times (3)]. The P3 group consumed significantly (P < 0.05) more feed than the fish fed extruded diets, irrespective of feeding frequency. Growth rates of all groups did not display any significant difference (P > 0.05) in terms of final weight (FW) or specific growth rate (SGR), although there was a decreasing trend in final weight (E3 > E2 > P3 > P2). Feed efficiencies (FE) of E2 and E3 fish were higher than P2 and P3 treatments (P < 0.05). No significant difference (P > 0.05) was evident for the hepatosomatic index (%), mesenteric fat index (%), viscerasomatic index (%), or dress-out (%) parameters in all treatments. The carcass and muscle components (protein, lipid, and ash) did not reveal any significant difference (P > 0.05). According to the results, feeding sea bass twice or 3 times daily with steam pelleted or extruded diet did not influence the growth; however, extruded diet improved the feed efficiency of sea bass irrespective of feeding frequency.