Effects of restricted feeding ration on growth and body composition of juvenile Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth response and body composition of juvenile P. hypothalamus with initial body weight 1.2 ± 0.019 g. Diet (35% protein,3% lipid) were fed at the rate 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 percent bodyweight-1 for a period of 60 days. At the end of feeding period fishes showed significant difference in length gain, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, lipid efficiency ratio and voluntary feed intake. The relationship between the specific growth rate in wet weight (SGRw,) and ration level (RL) showed an asymptotic curve which is described as SGRw = 0.6380 + 0.4344RL - 0.0712RL2; R2 = 0.9272 while FCE = 0.8431 - 0.09785RL - 0.01933RL2; R2 = 0.9272. Feed conversion efficiency decreased significantly with increase in ration levels.