Apply different alternative feeding strategies to reduce the cost production of common carp fish, Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different alternative feeding strategies on the production of cage-farmed common carp (Cyprinus carpio), for the period from 12/15/2021 to 12/1/2022. 600   fish were cultured (103.2±37.0 g) and distributed among the cages with a culture density of 50 fish per cage. However, the fish were fed with three feeding strategies in addition to the regular feeding (Control (C) 4% body weight). The second treatment (T1) was fed an alternative feed for one day at 4% followed by 2% of the fish’s body weight for one day, while the third treatment (T2) was fed for two days with a feeding rate of 4% followed by one day with 2% of the fish’s body weight and the fourth treatment (T3), it was fed for three days with a feeding rate of 4% followed by one day with a feeding rate of 2%. The present results showed that the control treatment (C) was significant (P≤0.05) in terms of final weight, weight gain, and daily weight rate (SGR), while T3 was significant (P≤0.05) in terms of feed conversion rate (FCR). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in PER and PPV between treatments. The T2 achieved the best economic benefit (1.3) over the rest of the treatments. There was no noticeable effect of alternative feeding strategies on the chemical composition of fish.