Effect of Time Restricted Feeding and Re-feeding Regimes on Compensatory Growth, Body composition and Feed Utilization in Prawn (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii) Culture System

Abstract

A fourteen (14) weeks feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time restricted feeding and refeeding regime on compensatory growth, body composition and feed utilization in improved traditional prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture system. Three groups of prawn with an initial body weight of 1 g were used in which the control group (C) received feed regularly at ad libitum throughout the experimental period and the other two groups, Treatment 1 (T₁) and Treatment 2 (T₂), feed was given in 4 and 5 days per week respectively throughout first 9 weeks then satiation was given in last 5 weeks. At the end of experiment, final weight of C, T₁ and T₂ were found 17.23±6.56 g, 16.04±6.18 g and 15.64±6.34 g respectively which was insignificant among experimental groups. Highest survival rate was found in C but did not vary significantly (P<0.05) with T₂. FCR decreased with increased restriction of feeding while, PER and NPU increased with feeding restriction which is a good indication for the better utilization of feed by restricted groups. Moisture content increased significantly while protein and lipid content decreased significantly with increased restriction time of feeding. After satiation period, only T₂ was able to replenish the lipid content. Water quality parameters did not vary significantly among experimental groups and remained within optimum level. The present study showed that time restriction could be applied in Macrobrachium rosenbergii culture without detrimental effects on growth, feed efficiency and nutrient utilization.