Effects of the Feeding Rate on Growth Performance, Body Composition and Hematological Properties of Juvenile Mandarin Fish Siniperca scherzeri in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

The effects of feeding rate (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% body weight [BW] per day [BW day−1]) on the growth, body composition, and blood properties of juvenile mandarin fish, Siniperca scherzeri, (initial BW 18.4 ± 0.2 g) were investigated in a water recirculating aquaculture system. Triplicate groups of fish were fed an experimental diet (55.4% protein, 14.1% lipid) for 10 weeks. Weight gain and specific growth rate increased with increasing feeding rates of up to 2.5% BW day−1, after which no significant increase in growth was observed. Feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention were not significantly different among the fish fed 1–2.5% BW day−1 but decreased significantly in those fed 3.0% BW day−1. The lipid content of fish fed 2.5% BW day−1 was significantly higher than that at 0.5–1.5% BW day−1. The total plasma cholesterol content was significantly lower in fish fed 0.5 BW day−1 than fish provided with other feeding rates. Based on the growth, feed efficiency, body composition, and blood content analyses, including regression analysis, the optimal feeding rate for juvenile S. scherzeri weighing between 18 g and 54 g was estimated at 1.88–2.80% BW day−1 depending on weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency under 26.9 °C conditions.