Email this article (Login required)
Email the author (Login required) Combined feeding frequency and ration size effects on juvenile Penaeus vannamei performance fed diets supplemented with fish hydrolysates
Submited: 2025-05-30 03:02:47 | Published: 2025-12-22 09:48:21
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol54-issue1-fulltext-3458
Abstract
Optimum feed ratio and frequency ensure maximum growth and efficient feed utilization across feeding management strategies. The present study evaluated the effects of feeding frequency and ration re-striction on Penaeus vannamei juveniles (0.8 ± 0.06 g) fed two diets over 53 days. Feeding frequency included two (10:00, 16:00 h) and four times a day (10:00, 16:00, 22:00, 04:00 h), using isonitrogenous diets (35% protein) formulated with fish hydrolysates produced via external (FHEE) or internal (FHIE) enzymes. Feed was supplied at 100 and 80% of apparent satiation. At the end of the experiment, survival was not different among treatments (P > 0.05). Shrimp fed twice showed a significantly higher weight gain than those fed four times (6.27 ± 0.43 vs. 5.76 ± 0.38 g, respectively); no significant difference (P > 0.05) in feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found between two and four times a day treatment at 100% ration size. However, feed efficiency was significantly affected by feeding frequency (P < 0.05) at 80% of apparent satiation, with four daily feed-ings showing improved FCR (1.55 ± 0.07) compared to two feedings per day (1.73 ± 0.08). The results demon-strated improved feed efficiency at 80% satiation compared with 100% satiation (FCR = 1.64 ± 0.07 vs. 1.93 ± 0.12, respectively), at the expense of growth (5.79 ± 0.31 vs. 6.23 ± 0.51, respectively). No differences in weight gain were observed between the distinct diet types (FHEE or FHIE). The results highlight the significant impact of ration size and feeding schedules, demonstrating that restricted rations (80%) improve feed efficiency at the expense of growth and that increasing feeding frequency at night does not provide additional benefits compared to daytime feeding.
