The Effects of Feeding Frequency, Stocking Density and Fish Size on Growth, Food Consumption, Feeding Pattern and Size Variation of Juvenile Grouper Epinephelus coioides

Abstract

Juvenile grouper, Epinephelus coioides, of three sizes (small: 10.64±0.87 g, medium: 13.58±0.86 g and large: 16.25±0.99 g) were stocked at three densities (8; 16 and 24 fish per tank (31-L)) and fed with three feeding frequencies (once, twice and three times daily) for 30 days to compare their food consumption, feeding pattern, growth and size variation. Grouper were fed to satiation. Growth rate increased with increasing feeding frequency. Food consumption was affected by feeding frequency. Average meal size decreased as the feeding frequency increased. However, total daily consumption was lower for grouper fed once daily. Different consumption pattern was found among treatment; fish fed thrice daily ate more in the morning than in the afternoon. Coefficient of variation (CV) of final weight decreased with increasing feeding frequency. Feeding frequency had no effect on food conversion ratio (FCR). Stocking density had no effect on growth, FCR and CV of final weight, but affected food consumption. The low density had the highest food consumption as compared to the medium and high densities. Fish size only had significant effect on CV of final weight. Large size fish had the lowest CV of final weight. Survival was not affected by feeding frequency and stocking density but by fish size; the small size group had the lowest survival. Our results indicate that feed three times per day and stock large size fish at high density is recommended.