Effects of Different Feeding Patterns on the Growth of Micropterus salmoides.

Three experimental groups with different feeding frequencies, different feeding rates and compensatory feeding were set up to study their effects on the growth of Micropterus salmoides. The results showed that different feeding rates of 2%, 3% and 4% had no significant effects on the growth of M. salmoides. Therefore, before the individual weight of 50 g, the fish could be fed with a feeding rate of 4%, which could be gradually decreased to 2% in the later period. Under the condition of relatively fixed feeding rate, different feeding frequencies had an impact on the growth of M. salmoides. Under the conditions of suitable water temperature, it is reasonable to feed twice daily. The experimental fish fed for 5 d and then deprived of feed for 1 d showed fully compensatory growth, and there were no significant differences in weight gain rate, daily weight gain and specific growth rate compared with the continuous feeding group (P >0.05). Therefore, according to the feeding conditions of fish in the breeding process, stopping feeding for 1 d every 5 d could save feed and labor and improve breeding efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]