Effect of Diel Rhythms of Feeding on Growth Performance of Walking Catfish, Clarias batrachus Fingerlings

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Date
2013
Authors
Jindal, Meenakshi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)Cochin
Abstract
Clarias batrachus fingerlings were maintained under laboratory conditions and fed on a 40% soybean based protein diet on a circadian pattern selecting six different time intervals, viz., 0800h, 1200h, 1600h, 2000h, 2400h and 0400h. The results indicated that body weight gain (live weight gain and specific growth rate) in C. batrachus on a time restricted meal is optimal when the food is made available at midnight viz., 2400h. Better accumulation of protein with less excretion of ammonia in fish body was also reported at this time of feeding. The study concluded that the growth rates of fish fed during night time (mid-night) had significantly low food conversion ratios and food wastage. Therefore, it is beneficial to feed C. batrachus at mid-night
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Keywords
Clarias batrachus, circadian pattern, live weight gain, mid-night, time restricted meal
Citation
Fishery Tech 50(1):11-15
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