Evaluation of feeding rate based on growth, feed conversion, protein gain and carcass quality of fingerling Indian major carp,Catla catla(Hamilton)

The effects of feeding rates on growth, feed conversion, protein deposition and carcass quality of fingerling Catla catla (3.61 ± 0.03 cm; 0.71 ± 0.04 g) were worked out by conducting a 16-week feeding trial. Fingerlings were fed with a casein-gelatin-based purified diet (40% crude protein CP; 14.95 MJ kg−1 digestible energy; DE) at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6% and 7% body weight per day. The absolute weight gain (AWG; 10.50 g fish−1) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.41) were highest at the feeding rate of 5% body weight per day. However, protein gain (PG; 0.36 g fish−1) and carcass protein content attained the maximum values at 4% BW day−1. Quadratic regression analyses of AWG g fish−1 and PG g fish−1 at 95% maximum response indicated that these parameters attained the best values at 4.19% and 3.81% BW day−1. On the basis of the above results it is recommended that the feeding rate in the range of 3.81–4.19% BW day−1 with a P:E ratio of 26.69–27.74 mg protein MJ−1 DE is optimum for maximum growth, efficient feed conversion and best carcass quality in fingerling C. catla.