Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
101
EFFECTS OF FEEDING FREQUENCY ON SOME PHYSIOBIOLOGICAL
PARAMETERS OF COMMON CARP (Cyprinus carpio)
Nasreen M. Abdulrahman*, Sarwar A. Hama Amin* , Vian M. Ahmed*,
Hawkar J. H. Ameen** , Bakhan R. Hassan*
* College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sulaimaniya, Sulaimaniya, Iraq
** College of Science, University of Raparin, Iraq
Keywords: Feeding Frequency, Biological parameters, Common Carp.
Corresponding author: Nasreen.abdulrahman@univsul.edu.iq
ABSTRACT
In present study the effect of feeding frequency on some health aspects (biological
parameters) of fingerling of common carp were investigated. Three groups of common carp
(average weight4.31±0.1 g) designed with three feeding frequencies one meal a day (D1),
two meals a day (D2) and three meals a day (D3) with three replicates of each treatment. Fish
in experimental treatments were fed by 4% of body weight. No significant differences
observed in Hepatosomatic Index, Gill Index and muscle ratio (Weight without Viscera and
Weight without Viscera & Head) in all feeding frequencies, feeding one and two time per
day were significantly higher than three times/ day in each of Kidney index and Spleen
Index. Intestine weight index was significantly higher in T2 and T3, Intestine Length Index
was higher significantly in T3.
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
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INTRODUCTION
Knowledge on food requirements of a species is one of the basic determinants of using
that species in a broadly-understood aquaculture. Previous research has demonstrated that the
fish growth rate is depend not only on the feed chemical composition, but also on the manner
of food is administered (manual, automatic), feeding frequency, feeding period, and feed
ration (1).
Feed is generally the highest variable costs at aquaculture facilities. Understanding nutrition
requirements and feeding strategies can reduce waste and increase profits. Feed efficiency is
vital in livestock farming in general and of course, in the case of aquaculture. From a
management standpoint frequent feeding (number of feeding per day) of fish may not be
economical due to increased labor costs (2). So, one of the problems in fish production is to
obtain a good balance between fish growth and food consumption. Therefore, it is equally
important to know the growth and nutritional needs of fish, as knowing the best feeding
strategies for a species (3).
Many studies have been conducted relating optimum feeding frequencies with growth, feed
utilization, and survival in cultured fish. Frequent feeding generally improved growth, but
there are contrary reports. Some studies have focused on the possible effects of different
feeding schedules on body composition (4).
Despite the great potential of common carp production, information regarding the effects of
feeding strategies and management practices on fish health aspects is limited, For these
reasons, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of different feeding regimes
(frequency of feeding per day) on health aspects ( Biological parameters) of common carp.
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
103
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This experiment was carried out in the fish laboratory of the University of Sulaimani,
College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, in Bakrajo. ThreeGlass
aquariums were used representing three treatments. Glass aquarium with three partitions,
each one represent a different treatment and replicate.
The experiment was conducted for 65 days using 45 common carp Cyprinus carpio L. which
was brought from a local pond located in Qaladzya. Forty five common carp fingerlings with
average weight of (T1: 22.88 gm T2: 21.08 gm T3: 21.32 gm) were distributed evenly among
nine glass aquarium cleaned by suction daily, where approximately 10% of the water in the
aquaria was replaced daily. three type of feed frequencies used which was representing three
treatments, treatment number one (T1) consist of one time feeding only which the whole feed
was given to the fish, treatment number two (T2) consist of two time feeding daily which the
feed was divided in to two parts, treatment number three (T3) consist of three time feeding
and the whole feed was divided into three parts.
At the end of the experiment, fish in each replicate treatment groups were counted and
weighed. Fish sampled were collected randomly from each aquarium and used for anatomical
measurements including Hepatosomatic Index, Gill Index, muscle ratio (Weight without
Viscera and Weight without Viscera & Head), Kidney index, Spleen Index, Intestine weight
index and Intestine Length Index. Biological parameters were defined as follows:
Hepatosomatic Index = Liver weight / Body weight *100
Gill Index= Gill weight / Body weight *100
Weight without Viscera= Body weight without Viscera / Body weight *100
Weight without Viscera & Head = Weight without Viscera & Head weight / Body weight
*100
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
104
Kidney index = Kidney weight / Body weight *100
Spleen Index = Spleen weight / Body weight *100
Intestine weight index = Intestine weight / Body weight *100
Intestine Length Index = Intestine Length / Body Length *100
Analysis of variance was conducted using the general linear models (GLM) procedure
of XLSTAT. Pro. 7.5 One way CRD (ANOVA). Fisher’s L.S.D test’s was used to compare
between means of the experiment treatments.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
No significant differences observed in Hepatosomatic Index, and Gill Index in all feeding
frequencies, feeding one and two time per day were significantly higher than three times/ day
in each of Kidney index and Spleen Index as shown in table (1).
Table 1: effect of feeding frequency on some physio-biological parameters of common
carp Cyprinus carpio L.
Treatments Hepatosomatic Index Gill Index Kidney index Spleen Index
T1 2.257 a ±0.236 5.318a±0.183 0.978 a ±0.243 0.796 a ±0.124
T2 2.074 a ±0.268 5.432 a±0.140 0.850 ab ±0.237 0.798 a±0.176
T3 2.457 a ±0.292 5.892 a±0.087 0.555 b ±0.190 0.345 b±0.183
The hepatosomatic index varied greatly in response to feeding frequency, as observed by (4).
Cultured common carp is characterized by high lipid deposition in their flesh. The
suppression of lipid deposition is a problem to be overcome in the culture of carp to allow a
reduction of dietary protein and to improve carcass quality.
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
105
Fish of group ( 4 times feeding) had significantly higher hepatosomatic index than fish of
other group, but different feeding frequencies did not produce a corresponding change in
muscle ratio, Gonadosomatic index, the percentage lipid of hepatopancreas tended to
decrease with increasing feeding frequency in the study of (4),
A higher feeding frequency might suppress lipogenesis and the lipogenic pathway. Excessive
lipid accumulation is associated with general overnutrition. When fish are fed at infrequent
intervals, they receive a large quantity of food at each feeding. Although the digestive tracts
are too small to accommodate the large quantities of food, lipogenesis might be activated, and
lipid accumulation might thus be increased as obtained by (4).
Table (2) show that Intestine weight index was significantly higher in T1 and T2, Intestine
Length Index was higher significantly in T3.
Table 2: Effect of feeding frequency on Intestine wt. Intestine Length Index of common
carp Cyprinus carpio L.
Treatments Intestine wt. Index Intestine Length Index
T1 3.557 ab ±0.157 133.917 b ±0.050
T2 4.384 a ±0.086 133.928 b ±0.050
T3 3.384 b ±0.151 162.581 a ±0.116
Data on muscle ratio (Weight without Viscera and Weight without Viscera & Head) were
used to calculate the amount of muscle and the results are illustrated in table (3). No
significant differences observed between fish fed two and three times per day.
Table 3: effect of feeding frequency on Weight without Viscera and Weight without
Viscera & Head Index of common carp Cyprinus carpio L.
Treatments Weight without Viscera Weight without Viscera & Head
T1 84.545 a ±0.031 62.905 a ±0.055
T2 83.867 a ±0.027 59.059 a ±0.097
T3 86.507 a ±0.022 61.923a ±0.018
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
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Increased feeding frequency actually led to greater overall food intake. However, higher
feeding frequency did not always improve growth, as indicated by (4). Therefore, it appears
that higher feeding frequency suppressed lipid accumulation in muscle, as observed in red
spotted grouper Epinephelusakaara(5).
The study of (6) shows that several feeding frequencies are better than few feeding
frequencies. Therefore, they recommended that the feeding of common carp juveniles be
done three times daily for optimum growth.
Increasing frequency in the fish feeding results in a better food accessibility reducing feed
competition stress leading to a better growth performance. The success of angel fish culture
depends on effective feeding frequency. A feeding frequency of two and four times a day
compared to other experimental groups seemed sufficient for effective growth and nutrient
utilization (7). The best results in the study of (8) growth performance and survival rate were
obtained by feeding four meals a day as the final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR)
were significantly higher in group feeding four meals in this comparison. Similar responses
were observed for body weight increased and daily growth rate. The best feed conversion
ratio (FCR) was obtained from four daily feeding.
The body weight and length of fish fed twice daily or three times daily were similar (9). This
was found also in the weights of the stomach, intestine, hepatopancreas and digestive tract
due to the fact that the successive growth of fish is come by the volume of the gastrointestinal
tract for the digestion, absorption and utilization of nutrients (10).
The feeding frequency had a significant effect on the growth performances of sex-reversed
Nile tilapia. Feeding management with two meals daily was appropriate for practical use in
this species. This was in agreement with the optimal feeding frequency reported for the larval
to juvenile stages of hybrid tilapia (O. niloticus _ O. aureus) by (11).
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
107
Fish fed more than twice a day showed a general elevation in the amylase activity compared
to the once daily group, though it was not significant. However, no differences were observed
in fish fed two and three meals daily. This was in agreement with the unchanged amylase
activity reported in juvenile hybrid tilapia (11) and large yellow croaker (12) after feeding at
different frequencies.
Regarding the protein-digesting enzymes, fish fed at a proper longer frequency had similar
activity levels of total proteases, trypsin, chymotrypsin and the T/C ratio compared to those
receiving three meals daily. These stable activities indicated unchanged protein digestion in
the intestine, suggesting that tilapia appear to have the capacity to adjust their digestive
proteases to a range of 2e3meals daily. For fish fed less often, the significantly decreased
chymotrypsin activity might negatively affect the protein utilization in this group (9).
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Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
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Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
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