Effects of Feeding Frequency on Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Ratio of Gurami Sago (Osphronemus Goramy) Fingerlings in A Recirculating Aquaculture Pond System

Abstract

Gurami sago, Osphronemus goramy is the result of newly released domesticated species in 2018. This freshwater fish is endemic in Indonesia, and has a high market price. This study investigated the effects of different feeding frequencies (one, two, three and four meals per day) on growth performance and feed conversion ratio of gurami sago fingerlings over a period of 90 days. The experiment took place in a recirculating aquaculture pond system consisting of twelve rearing units. One-hundred eighty (180) gurami sago fingerlings (with an average initial weight: 2.57±0.73 g and length: 5.77±0.55 cm) were used in the study. Fifteen gurami sago fingerlings were cultured in each pond, and randomly distributed into four experimental treatments with with three replicates. Fish were fed at a feeding rate of 5.0% body weight/day throughout the duration of the study. Fish were sampled every 30 days to evaluate growth in weight and length, and feeding was withheld for 24 h prior to sampling. Results indicated that feed ration of three meals per day had the highest growth performance of fish compared with feed rations of either one, two or four meals per day Feed conversion ratio (1.92±0.14), protein efficiency ratio (13.82±1.22%) and survival (82.22±3.85%) were also better at a feeding ration of three meals per day.