Optimal Feeding Frequency for African Sneakhead Fish ( Parachanna obscura , Gunther, 1861) Fingerlings Reared in Captivity

Parachanna obscura is a fish that has a good economic value and is an important performance for aquaculture. By identifying the optimum stocking density and frequency of feeding, farmers can successfully decrease the feed charge and increase growth performance. The aim of our study is to define optimum frequency of feeding of P. obscura fingerlings reared controlled condition. Therefore the experiment was conducted during three months. The fingerlings of P. obscura were fed one of four schedules at 3% of body weight. The initial weight body was 13.27±0.07 g. At the end of this study, the results prove that survival rates were 100% and were not significantly affected by the frequency of feeding ( p ˃0.05). Growth performances varied significantly with treatments ( p <0.05). The augmentation of frequency of feeding above 3 times/day did not produce any significant ( p ˃0.05) improvement of growth. Therefore, optimal feeding frequency for Parachanna obscura fingerlings reared in controlled conditions is three times daily.