Effect of feeding frequency on the growth performance of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) "Nanhai NO. 2" in cement ponds culture

Abstract

This study examined the growth response of black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, reared in indoor cement ponds fed at variable daily feeding frequencies. Five hundred healthy shrimp (1.26±0.37 g initial weight) were stocked in 12 cement ponds (5.5×2.5×1.5m). Three ponds in each group were assigned to four different feeding frequency i.e., two, three, four and six times/day designated as FF1, FF2, FF3 and FF4, respectively. Artificial diet (40% fishmeal protein) was used to feed at eight percent of total shrimp body weight per day for a total period of 56 days. The shrimp length and weight were measured fortnightly and the feeding rate was adjusted according to the new weight. At the end of the trial, all shrimp remained healthy and active with the survival rate of 70-85%. The specific growth rate (SGR) were the highest in groups FF3 (4.21±0.53) and FF4 (4.23±1.04), which were significantly higher than those in FF1 (3.82±0.49) and FF2 (4.02±1.03) groups. Whole body proximate composition (protein, ash, moisture and lipid) remained similar in all the treatment groups. It could be concluded that the black tiger shrimp, P. monodon, would be grown in indoor cement ponds effectively by feeding four times day-1 to achieve significantly better growth.