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Abstract
Feeding frequency is an important husbandry factor governing the rearing efficiency of marine fish; however, information on juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Vietnam remains scarce. This study was conducted to determine the appropriate feeding frequency for juvenile red drum. Juveniles (initial size of 3.91 ± 0.13 cm and 0.76 ± 0.09 g) were randomly allocated to five treatments corresponding to feeding frequencies of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 times per day, each with three replicates, and reared for 42 days. The results showed that feeding frequency significantly affected growth performance, size uniformity and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), but did not significantly affect survival, deformity rate and condition factor (P > 0.05). Growth and uniformity increased progressively as feeding frequency rose from 2 to 5 times per day and then declined at 6 times per day. Second-order polynomial regression identified an optimal feeding frequency of approximately 5.2 times per day for growth. In contrast, the optimal feed conversion ratio occurred at a lower level (approximately 4.4 times per day). Balancing growth, uniformity and feed utilization, this study recommends a feeding frequency of 4–5 times per day for juvenile red drum to enhance technical and economic efficiency in seed production.
Keywords: Size uniformity, feed utilization, feed conversion ratio, marine fish rearing, seed production.