A Study of Fish Feeding Pattern to Reduce Cost of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Production in Cage-Cum-Pond Culture System

Abstract

This study investigated fish feeding patterns for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under cage-cum-pond culture system conducted in Nong Han Chalermphrakiat Park during April to August 2016. The main objective of this study was to determine a suitable fish feeding pattern for reducing the cost during feeding and maintenance stage. Nile Tilapia at first weight size (0.15 g) was used for all Trials. Trial 1 was fed for every day by 1-2 time/day while trial 2 was fed every other day 1-2 time/day. Both trials had put the same stocking density (200 individual/square) and raised for 4 mouth under the same environmental conditions. The results found that a Growth Rate (GR) was 24.82+0.88, 20.15+2.16, 22.18+1.32 and 22.25+4.81 g respectively, while, Average Day Gain (ADG) was 0.2+0.01, 0.16+0.02, 0.18+0.01 and 0.18+0.04 g/day respectively associated with Survival Rate (SR) was 85.67+2.47, 86.67+4.25, 84.83+5.51 and 85.67+2.07 % respectively and found that every trial was not significant (P>0.05). Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was  2.77+0.16, 2.64+0.71, 2.21+0.27 and 2.24+0.47 respectively, which was significantly different (P<0.05).  Furthermore, the results revealed that the group fed every 2 day provided lower FCR than the group fed every day. The result of study confirmed that average growth of nile tilapia fed every other day 1 or 2 times a day was not different from tilapia fed every day. Cost benefits of every- 2- day feeding was cheaper than every- day feeding (193.50 baht or 48.40% from Cost benefits fed every day). Therefore, the fish fed every other day can maintain normal growth rate; this will reduce the cost of stakeholders.