Effects of Water Temperature and Rations Size on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Carcass Biochemical Composition of Juvenile Benni (Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of water temperature and rations size on growth performance, feed utilization and carcass biochemical composition of juvenile Benni. Six treatments representing a combination of two water temperature (24 and 28 °C) and three feeding rations (1%, 3% and 5%) were tested with three replicates. Each replicate was stocked with 12 fish (30.66±0.81 g average weight). Growth performances were significantly affected (P < 0.05) between water temperature and ration size. Mean weight gain and percentage of weight gain significantly increased with increasing water temperature from 24 to 28 °C and higher (P < 0.05) at 3% ration size. Average daily growth and specific growth rate were significantly (P < 0.05) affected only by ration size at 3% level. Increasing water temperature (24 to 28 °C) resulted in increasing feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Whereas, FCE significantly decreased with increasing rations size from 1 to 5% at each water temperatures. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) followed a trend similar to that in FCE. The highest protein content of carcass (41.17%) was observed at 3% feeding ration at 28 °C. Lipid content was significantly highest in group fed 5% at 24 °C (13.58%). Hepatosomatic index was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by water temperatures and feeding rations. Viscerosomatic index (VSI) was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by with increasing water temperatures and ration size. Results showed the 3% BW/day ration was optimal for growth of M. sharpeyi juvenile at water temperature 28 °C. (P < 0.05)