Modular method of rearing milkfish with artificial feed.

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a practical diet, the profitability of feeding during 2 seasons, and the effect of a diet with coconut oil on the fatty acid profile of milkfish (Chanos chanos ) fingerlings. Milkfish fingerlings of average weight 6.2 g and 10.2 g were reared in earthen ponds of 3 compartments (550, 1,100 and 2,200 m super(2)) using the modular culture system. One month prior to harvest, fish in Treatment 1 were fed a practical diet containing 42% crude protein, 13.1% crude fat and 33.2% nitrogen-free extract while fish in Treatment 2 depended solely on the natural food in the pond. The fish fed during the last month of culture were heavier (141 g) than the unfed fish (100 g) in Experiment 1 (dry season) but had similar weights (44 and 41 g) in Experiment 2 (rainy season). Weight gain of fish in Experiment 1 was significantly higher than in Experiment 2. Varying temperature and salinity during different seasons influenced fish growth and production. Feeding milkfish was not profitable during the cooler months. Fatty acid profile in depot fat of fed fish reflected that of the diet. Palatability tests showed that fed fish were preferred to the unfed fish.