Effects of Feed Application Rates on Growth, Survival, and Feed Conversion of Juvenile Snakehead Channa striatus

Growth, survival and feed conversion ratio of juvenile snakehead Channa striatus were evaluated when fed a dry, formulated feed (50% crude protein) at 24 ± 1 C. Six daily feed application rates were used (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%), as a percentage of fish body weight, with three replicates per treatment. After 29 d, final weights were all significantly greater ( P < 0.01) than initial weights, except for the 0% application. Feed applications higher than 5% did not result in increased growth ( P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was 0.99 at 5% feed application, and 6.3 at 30% feed application. Fish survival was increased by providing formulated diet, but no further improvement was found when feed applications exceeded 5%. Cannibalism was reduced by providing formulated feed, but it was unavoidable when substantial differences in fish size existed, even when feeding ad libitum . Our results indicate that the optimal feed application rate is close to 5% body weight/d for juvenile snakehead.