Feeding frequency on Lophiosilurus alexandri: performance, hematology, and daily rhythms.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the different feeding frequencies on the performance, hematology profile, daily rhythms of glucose and activities digestive enzymes for juvenile Lophiosilurus alexandri. Feeding frequency did not affect survival, final weight, daily weight gain (P >.05). Glucose showed a daily rhythmic variation, with the acrophase in the group F2 located at Zeitgeber Time (ZT) 12.51 h and at ZT 13.33 h in the group F5. The daily rhythms in digestive enzymes were also affected, especially chymotrypsin, whose activity was twofold higher in F5 than F2. Food ratio divided into a higher frequency along the day induces an increase in acid protease and chymotrypsin activities. Different feeding frequencies can influence hematology profile, daily rhythms of glucose and activities digestive enzymes. The production of juvenile L. alexandri can be successfully carried out adopting a feeding frequency of twice a day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]