Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 507-516 2019 DOI: 10.22092/ijfs.2019.118285 The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and body composition of juvenile snow , Schizothorax zarudnyi

Khandan Barani H.1*; Dahmardeh H.2; Miri M.3; Rigi M.1

Received: May 2016 Accepted: January 2017

Abstract This study was performed to investigate the effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion and body composition of juvenile snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi). For this purpose, fish with an initial body weight of 2.17±0.1 g were fed a commercial diet (40% protein, 3.8 Kcal g-1 diet) at five ration sizes of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of their body weight per day, for 60 days. The feeding trial was conducted in triplicate. Maximum weight gain, best feed conversion ratio (FCR), best specific growth rate (SGR %), highest energy retention (ERE %) and protein efficiency ratio (PER %) were evident for rations of 4–6% body weight. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis for PER, FCR and ERE indicated the break-points occurred at 4.9, 5.1 and 5.2% BW day−1, respectively. Maximum body protein content was obtained for 4% and 6% rations. Body moisture, fat and ash content remained

unchanged. Based on the above results, it may be concluded that the 4.9-5.2% body weight per day ration is optimal for the growth, conversion efficiencies and body composition of juvenile S. zarudnyi and it entails favorable economic benefits.

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 Keywords: Growth, Body composition, Ration, Schizothorax zarudnyi

1-Department of Fisheries, Hamoun International Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran 2-Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran. 3-Department of Natural management, Hamoun International Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran. *Corresponding author's Email: [email protected]

508 Khandan Barani et al., The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and…

Introduction have adequate knowledge of the A crucial factor in commercial optimal ration level. is feeding, especially when Several studies have been conducted it affects growth, health of fish and to evaluate the effect of feeding rate on production costs (Cho et al., 2003; the growth, survival, feed intake, body Khan and Abidi, 2010; Tian et al., composition, among other parameters, 2015). Feed costs make up a large in various culturable finfish species, fraction of the total fish production such as common (Desai and Singh, costs (40-50 % of production costs) 2009), mangrove red snapper (Abbas (Anderson et al., 1997). Moreover, in and Siddiqui, 2009), pigfish (Oberg et practical , growth al., 2014), blunt snout bream (Tian et optimization is important to ensure al., 2015), hybrid sturgeon (Luo et al., profitability (Wang et al., 2009). The 2015). It has been shown in these growth of fish at all stages in its life studies that optimum rate might vary history is largely regulated by a number based on fish species, size, age, feed of factors, such as food type, food quality and culture system. Thus, to intake, feeding rate, feeding frequency achieve optimum production, it is and its ability to absorb nutrients important that feeding rate be (Gelineau et al., 1998; Akbulut et al., standardized for the target species in 2013). Among these, feeding rate is an aquaculture. important factor for the survival and It is important to choose new fish growth of fish at the early life stages species with good potential for (Goddard, 1996). The influence of aquaculture to develop this growing feeding rate on fish growth industry. Schizothorax zarudnyi, also performance has received much known as snow trout, is a native fish of attention (Goddard, 1996; Oberg et al., southeast Iran and Afghanistan that Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 2014; Luo et al., 2015; Li et al., 2016). belongs to the cyprinid family. In Most studies of feeding rate have general, cyprinid species have high confirmed that there should be optimal commercial value and their is feeding rates in fish culture. appreciated by human consumers. Also, Determination of optimal values for this snow trout has high market value and is factor helps to enhance growth (Saether a promising candidate species for and Jobling, 1999) or feed utilization Iranian aquaculture diversification (Fiogbé and Kestemont, 2003); to (Aghili, 2013; Rahdari et al., 2014). reduce feeding costs (Silva et al., 2007; However, there is no information on the Luo et al., 2015) or to improve water feeding application rates for juvenile quality (Allan et al., 1995; Zakes et al., snow trout. Therefore, the aim of this 2006) and reduce fish size variations study was to assess the effects of (Johnston et al., 2003). Consequently, feeding rate on the growth performance, for the commercial success of any feed conversion and body composition aquaculture venture, it is important to of juvenile snow trout, and determine the best feeding rate for this species Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 2019 509

under commercial production Body composition analysis conditions. Fish nutritionists and Before the start of the experiment, 20 farmers will benefit from the results of stocked fish were killed and analyzed this study. for initial body composition. At the end of the experiment, ten fishes from each Materials and methods replicate were sacrificed for the This study was performed at Hamoun analysis of proximate composition of International Wetlands Research whole body. The ash, moisture, crude Institute of Zabol University. Healthy protein and lipid contents of fish were juvenile of snow trout were obtained estimated by AOAC (2000). from a local commercial fish farm in Zehak city, Iran. Fish were acclimated Growth parameters for 14 days before the start of the The growth parameters were evaluated experiment. During the acclimation and as follows: Survival (%) experimental period, the water quality (Survival%=100×(final fish number/ parameters were maintained as follows: initial fish number), Weight gain rate temperature (22.6±1.5 °C), pH (WGR=100×(average final body (7.6±0.3), dissolved oxygen (6.9±0.5 weight−average initial body mg L-1) and ammonia concentration weight)/average initial body weight), was kept around zero mg L-1. After the Feed conversion ratio (FCR=total feed acclimation period, fish with an average intake/total weight gain), Specific initial body weight of 2.17±0.3 g growth rate (SGR=100×(ln final mean (mean±SD) were distributed randomly weight−ln initial mean weight)/days), among 15, 80 L glass tanks at the rate Energy retention efficiency of 20 fish per tank. There were no (ERE=100×(energy gain/total energy in significant differences in the initial the diet), Protein efficiency ratio Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 weight between groups. The study (PER=100×(weight gain/protein fed) design included five feeding rates (2%, (Tacon, 1990; De Silva and Anderson, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) with three 1995; Khan and Abidi, 2010). replicates for each treatment. The daily rations were supplied each day in two Data analysis equal halves, at 08.00 and 17.00 hours. Data were analyzed by one-way Fish were weighed every 2 weeks to (ANOVA) using SPSS, version 16 for regulate the feeding rates. The feeding Windows, and Duncan's test was used trial lasted for 60 days. The fish were to compare differences between the offered a commercial diet (Esfahan means at 5% probability. All Mokammel Company, Isfahan, Iran), experimental values are expressed as containing 40% protein, 12% lipid, 9– mean ± SD. The estimation of optimum 10% moisture and 10% ash. feeding rate for growth and feed conversion efficiency of snow trout was carried out using second-degree

510 Khandan Barani et al., The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and…

polynomial regression analysis (Y=aX2 ration rose up to 6%. No significant +bX+c) (Zeitoun et al., 1976). (p>0.05) improvement in FCR was seen for fish fed with the 8% ration and Results increasing the ration further indicated in Growth performance and feed no improvement or even poor FCR. In conversion efficiencies of juvenile S. order to obtain more exact information zarudnyi subjected to different feeding on the ration level, second-degree rates are presented in Table 1. All fish polynomial regression analysis was survived throughout the trial. Maximum conducted for the growth parameters. weight gain rate (%) was recorded with Using the second-order polynomial a diet of 6% BW day-1. Best FCR, and regression analysis model, the optimal highest specific growth, Energy feeding rate for juvenile snow trout retention efficiency (ERE) and Protein based on PER, FCR and RER was efficiency ratio (PER) where obtained estimated to be 4.9, 5.1 and 5.2 % BW for fish fed by 4-6% ration. Feed day−1, respectively (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). conversion ratio (FCR) decreased as the

Table 1: Growth, conversion efficiencies and nutrient retention efficiency of juvenile Schizothorax zarudnyi fed at different feeding rates. Parameters Feeding rate (%weight day-1) 2 4 6 8 10 Initial body weight (g) 2.21±0.07 2.13±0.10 2.14±0.17 2.20±0.06 2.09±0.06 Final body weight (g) 2.75±0.07a 3.73±0.24b 4.36±0.14c 4.09±0.19c 3.48±0.15b Weight gain (%) 54±3.46a 152±15.39b 222.33±4.50d 188.6±22.2 139±19.15b 3c Feed conversion ration 4.82±0.49b 3.48±0.24a 3.47±0.35a 5.67±0.83c 9.13±1.36d Specific growth rate 0.36±0.02a 0.86±0.05b 1.19±0.08c 1.02±0.10bc 0.84±0.10b (%) PER (%) 52.49±0.05b 71.27±0.05c 73.79±0.04c 42.63±0.09b 27.87±0.04a b c c b a

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 ERE (%) 16.19±0.01 21.46±0.02 22.31±0.005 14.51±0.01 8.76±0.01 Mean value±SEM from three replicate analyses; mean values with the same superscript are not significantly different (p>0.05)

Figure 1: Second-order polynomial fitting of protein efficiency ratio to feeding rate of Schizothorax zarudnyi.

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 2019 511

10 9 y = 0.2098x2 - 1.9804x + 7.958 R² = 0.9977 8 7 6

5 FCR 4 3 2 5.1 1 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Feeding rate (% weight/day)

Figure 2: Second-order polynomial fitting of feed conversion efficiency to feeding rate of Schizothorax zarudnyi.

0.25 y = -0.0055x2 + 0.0549x + 0.076 R² = 0.9437 0.2

0.15

RER (%) RER 0.1

0.05 5.2

0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 Feeding rate (% weight / day)

Figure 3: Second-order polynomial fitting of energy retention to feeding rate of Schizothorax zarudnyi.

Whole-body composition of juvenile and 6% rations compared with fish fed snow trout is shown in Table 2. Whole- with other rations. Body ash, fat and body protein content was found to be Moisture did not differ among fish fed significantly higher (p<0.05) for 4% with different rations.

Table 2: Whole body composition of juvenile Schizothorax zarudnyi fed different feeding rates Parameters Feeding rate (%weight/day) 2 4 6 8 10 Moisture (%) 76.41±0.52 76.85±0.28 76.12±0.20 77.41±0.63 77.90±0.46 Protein (%) 66.79±1.25a 69.58±1.09bc 71.24±1.38c 68.14±1.2ab 68.38±1.03b Fat (%) 9.78±0.33 9.74±0.42 9.49±0.11 9.16±0.82 9.38±0.16 Ash (%) 3.01±0.19 2.86±0.26 2.80±0.19 2.63±0.27 2.79±0.12 Mean values±SEM from three replicate analyses; mean values with the same superscript are not significantly different (p>0.05) 512 Khandan Barani et al., The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and…

Discussion quickly and/or efficiently as desired and Feeding rate is an important factor using optimal ration prevents affecting growth in fish. Determination overfeeding, which is costly and of optimal values for this factor is reduces water quality. The above range necessary to the success of aquaculture is higher than the ration allocation production. In the present study, ration reported for grass carp, levels had significant effects on the Ctenopharyngodon idella (1.97%) (Du growth, SGR, FCR, ERE and PER of S. et al., 2006), , Salmo zarudnyi. Similarly, studies by Ahmed salar (2%) (Austreng et al., 1987), Nile (2007) on Labeo rohita, Khan and , O. niloticus (2%) (El-Saidy and Abidi (2010) on Heteropneustes fossilis Gaber, 2005), European sea , and Oberg et al. (2014) on pigfish Dicentrarchus labrax (3–3.5%) reported that ration levels very often (Eroldogan et al., 2004), hybrid affect the growth performances, sturgeon (3.7%) (Lue et al., 2015), in survival, feed intake and conversion the range determined for big head carp, efficiencies of cultured fish. Aristichthyes nobilis (2-5.7%) Our study revealed that growth in (Opuszynski and Shireman, 1991), and terms of final weight and other weight lower than the values for H. fossilis related indices SGR and WGR in (5.9-6.8%) (Khan and Abidi, 2010), juveniles of snow trout could be Common carp, Cyprinus carpio (6%) improved when they were reared with (Desai and singh, 2009), Indian major increasing feeding ration up to a certain carp, Labeo rohita (6.5-7%) (Ahmed, level as was observed in Cirrhinus 2007), African , Clarias mrigala (Khan and Abidi, 2004) and gariepinus (6%) (Al-Hafedh and Ali, hybrid sturgeon (Luo et al., 2015). 2004), white sturgeon, Acipenser However, significant growth transmontanus (6%) (Deng et al., Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 improvement was recorded with 2003), Tambaqui, Colossoma increasing rations up to 6%, and was macropomum (10%) (Silva et al., not significantly different from that 2007), clownfish, Amphiprion percula achieved by fish fed at 4% BW day−1. (10.26%) (Johnston et al., 2003) and This indicates that feeding fish in the brown trout, Salmo trutta (11.3%) range of 4–6% BW day−1 results in (Elliot, 1975). Thus, the difference in maximum utilization of food for nutrient requirement could also be growth. On subjecting PER, FCR and related to species and age of fish, RER data to second degree polynomial composition of the diet, stock density regression analysis, however, break- and water quality. points occurred for rations of 4.9, 5.1 In this study, poor growth and FCR and 5.2%, respectively. These break- for fish fed lower rations of 4% BW points show that rations in the range day−1, lower rations than the optimum, 4.9–5.2% BW day−1 are optimal for suggests these rations approximate to growth of snow trout. This enables maintenance requirements only and that producers to grow healthy fish as most of the ingested nutrients are used Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 18(3) 2019 513

to maintain life and a small portion because it results in greater growth and probably remained for growth. The production. Therefore the application of present findings on snow trout also this feeding rate for juvenile seem to be in agreement with the Schizothorax zarudnyi would insure observations of Khan et al. (2004) on optimum feed consumption with C. mrigala. Moreover, poor FCR for minimum waste, improve nutritional higher rations can be due to loss of efficiency and food conversion nutrients and waste of food, because it efficiency, decrease production cost and takes longer for fish to consume food to reduce water pollution. reach satiation. Similar results were also reported in Heteropneustes fossilis Acknowledgements (Khan and Abidi, 2010), Labeo rohita The authors would like to thank Narjes (Ahmed, 2007) and Acipenser Sanchooli, Alireza Noorafar and Mahdi transmontanus (Hung and Lutes, 1987). Keikha for their help during the The whole-body composition of fish is analyses. known to indicate the fish quality. Many studies have confirmed that body References composition is significantly affected by Abbas, G. and Siddiqui, P.J.A., 2009. feeding rate (Ahmed, 2007; Desai and Effects of different feeding level on Singh, 2009; Khan and Abidi, 2010). the growth, feed efficiency and body The findings of the present study composition of juvenile mangrove showed that ration significantly affects red snapper, Lutjanus whole-body protein content. The argentimaculatus (Forsskal 1775). highest protein contents were observed Aquaculture Research, 40, 781-789. at 4%-6% feeding ration. Similar Aghili, K., 2013. Replacement of snow observations were made by Khan et al. trout, Schizothorax zarudnyi, by Downloaded from jifro.ir at 21:39 +0330 on Saturday September 25th 2021 (2004) in C. mrigala. Also in the common carp in poly culture. Animal present study, ash, fat and moisture Research, 26, 435-442 (In Persian). were not significantly influenced by Ahmed, I., 2007. Effect of ration size ration level. This is in agreement with on growth, body composition, and results of Desai and Singh (2009) who energy and protein maintenance reported that ash and moisture content requirement of fingerling Indian remained insignificantly different major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton). among the ration levels in common Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, carp. Generally, lack of difference 33, 203–212. between fish fed with 4% and 6% ration Akbulut, B., Feledi, T., Lengyel, S. indicates that all fishes in these and Ronyai, A., 2013. Effect of treatment groups were adequately fed. feeding rate on growth performance, In conclusion, results of the present food utilization and meat yield of study show that a feeding rate of 4.9- starlet, Acipenser ruthenus (Linne, 5.2% BW day−1 is the most efficient 1758). Journal of Fisher Scientific, feeding strategy for juvenile snow trout, 7, 216-224. 514 Khandan Barani et al., The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and…

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