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

ABSTRACT

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 (T₁) and Treatment 2 (T₂), 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, T₁, and T₂ 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Restricted feeding
• prawn
• growth
• protein

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Khulna University Research Cell for sincere cooperation during the research period.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Khulna University Research Cell.