Performance of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fry with fractionated diet

Abstract

Fish is a protein source with high economic value and fish farming is a viable alternative for many producers. Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) has a good development in intensive culture. Diet for breeding may comprise between 40 and 70% of total costs and fish growth is directly proportional to the established ration. Current study analyzes the performance of O. niloticus fry with fractionated diet during 60 days. Two hundred and twenty-five fry, mean weight 3.5 g and mean size 5.5 cm, sexually male inverted, were employed. Seventy-five fry were distributed in each experimental unit (10m3), with three treatments and three different feed frequencies: one daily feed comprising 5% of live weight; two daily feeds comprising 5% of live weight; three daily feeds comprising 5% of live weight. Amount of diet was the same, albeit fractionated. All treatment had the same extruded commercial diet. Results after 60 days showed no significant differences between treatments for the growth of tilapia fry with fractionated diet (p > 0.05). The producer will have satisfactory results with a single diet when compared to feed distributed up to three times a day.