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Abstract
A factorial (2×3) trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding ration (5 and 7%BW/day) and feeding frequency (2, 3 and 4 times/day) on growth performance, feed efficiency and proximate composition of juvenile giant trevally. Juveniles (pool initial mean weight of 1,96 g/fish) were randomly distributed into 18 180L tanks at stocking density of 90 individuals/tank. Fish were fed with commercial diets NRD G8 (Inve, Thailand) with respective feeding rations and frequencies for 30 days. The results showed that the final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly improved as increasing the feeding rate and feeding frequency. The coefficient variation showed negative linear regression with increases in feeding ration or frequency. The FCR was not significantly different among fish fed 5 and 7%BW/day, while the FCR in fish fed 2 times/day was significantly higher than those fed 4 times/day. There were no significant effects of feeding ration and feeding frequency and their interaction on somatic indexes , crude protein and lipid contents of giant trevally, whereas ash content in fish fed 5%BW/day and 2 times/day was significantly higher than the fish fed 5% BW/day with 3 and 4 times/day. In summary, the results indicated that the optimum feeding ration and feeding frequency for juvenile giant trevally should be 7%BW/day and 4 times/day, respectively to maximize growth rate and feed efficiency.