Effect of feeding frequency on growth performance and immune response on Golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus

Abstract

Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is a commercially important marine fish and is widely cultured in the coastal area of South China. The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, biochemical indices, muscle composition of Trachinotus ovatus, 6 groups of feeding frequency were designed (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6TD) for 10 weeks to analyze the survival rate of T. ovatus. The results showed that final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, viscerosomatic index and hepatosomatic index of the 4TD group were significantly higher than of the other groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in survival rate and feed conversion ratio in the group (P > 0.05). The crude fat and crude protein content were higher in the 4TD group, but there was no difference in moisture and ash among the groups (P > 0.05). Total protein, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein content was lowest in the 4TD group. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly higher in the 3 and 4TD groups than that of the other groups (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found among the other groups (P > 0.05). Malondialdehyde was significantly higher in the 4TD group than that of the 1, 2 and 5TD groups (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference among the other groups (P>0.05). Lysozyme was significantly lower in the 1 and 6TD groups than other groups (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference among the other groups (P > 0.05). Feeding frequency of 4TD for the T. ovatus seems suitable since the fish of this treatment group showed a fast and a healthy growth while muscle quality was maintained.