Effects of feeding frequency on the growth and body constituents of young red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara

In order to obtain optimum feeding frequency in young red-spotted grouper, 25 000 fish averaging 4.7 cm in total length were divided into five groups in duplicate floating net-cages. Each group was reared with the same feeding ration to the fish weight but with different feeding frequencies: one, two, four, six, and eight times daily, respectively. High feeding frequencies resulted in high weight gain, high feed conversion efficiency, and high survival rate. The highest muscle mass and the highest levels of muscle protein were obtained at a feeding frequency of six times daily. While muscle lipid decreased with increasing feeding frequency, lipid levels of the liver and intraperitoneal fat body tended to be elevated by high feeding frequencies. Triglyceride accumulation in the whole body increased with increasing feeding frequency, but was lower in the group fed eight times daily than in the other groups.

Based on the above results, a feeding frequency between four and six times daily is suggested to be optimum for achieving optimum growth rates and lipid reserves in young red-spotted grouper.