Effect of time-restricted feeding and refeeding regimes on compensatory growth, body composition, and feed utilization in prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture system

• Published in: Journal of applied aquaculture Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 236 - 249
• Main Authors: Rahman, Fahad, Ghosh, Alokesh Kumar, Islam, Shikder Saiful
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 02-07-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Body composition; Feed composition; Feed conversion; Feed conversion efficiency; Feed efficiency; Feeding; Feeds; Freshwater crustaceans; growth; Lipids; Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Marine crustaceans; Moisture content; Nutrient utilization; Physical growth; prawn; protein; Restricted feeding; Satiety; Utilization; Water content; Water quality
• ISSN: 1045-4438; 1545-0805
• DOI: 10.1080/10454438.2019.1661328

A 14-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a time-restricted feeding and refeeding regime on compensatory growth, body composition, and feed utilization in improved traditional prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture systems. Three groups of prawn were used in which the control group (C) received feed regularly at ad libitum and the other two groups, Treatment 1 (T
1
) and Treatment 2 (T
2
), consumed feed 4 and 5 days per week respectively throughout the first 9 weeks. After feeding restriction, satiation of feed was given in the last 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the final weight of prawn in C, T
1
, and T
2
were found to be 17.23 ± 6.56g, 16.04 ± 6.18g, and 15.64 ± 6.34 g respectively, which was insignificant. FCR decreased with increased restriction of feeding, while PER and NPU increased. Moisture content increased significantly, while protein and lipid content decreased significantly with increasing restriction time of feeding. After the satiation period, only the T2 group was able to replenish the lipid content. Water quality parameters didn't vary significantly among the experimental groups and remained within optimum level. Therefore, time restriction could be applied in Macrobrachium rosenbergii culture without detrimental effects on growth, feed efficiency, and nutrient utilization.