The effect of duration of feeding on survival, growth and production of milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forskal), in brackishwater ponds in the Philippines

Abstract

Milkfish (<i>Chanos chanos</i>) fingerlings with an average weight of 16.3 g were stocked at 4000 per ha in twelve 500-m² experimental brackishwater ponds. The duration of supplementary feeding using pelletized chick starter (21.15% protein) at a ration of 5% of the biomass, was varied between 0 and 3 months. The duration of supplementary feeding had no significant effect on the survival, growth and production of milkfish. The results indicated that supplementary feeding of milkfish was not necessary at a stocking level of 4000 fish/ha, when adequate pond fertilization was carried out.