Effect of protein restriction with subsequent realimentation on performance and carcass composition of Indian major carp (lLlbeo rohita H.)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine th~ protein restriction followed by the realinlentation suitability for culture ofrohu. Acclimatized rohu fingerlings (150),20.74 ± 0.13 g/f), were distributed into 5 experimental groups (30 fingerlings in each group with three replications of 10 fingerlings each) and reared in cleaned, disinfected and electrically operated aerators fitted plastic tubs of 50 liters capacity, using completely randomized design. OUf results indicated that fish fed alternatively low protein and high protein diet at 3 or 7 days interval showed compensatory growth with the mechanism of hyperphagia, better feed conversion ratio (FeR), specific growth rate (SGR), absolute growth rate (AGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and performance index (PI) but fish fed alternatively low protein and high protein diet at 15 or 25 days interval was unable to growth compensation during 90 days trial period. Chemical composition of fish muscle indicated that the higher growth efficiency during compensatory growth was probably due to protein growth rather than fat deposition in gut. Thus, it is suggested that for profitable carp culture, fanners can use mixed feeding schedule of alternative feeding of low protein and high protein as a means of reducing feed cost.