Influence of free choice of feed on the productive qualities of two-year-old carp (cyprinus carpio l.) in ponds

¹ Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Timiryazevskaya str., 49, 127550 Moscow, Russia
² Branch for the freshwater fisheries of “VNIRO” (“VNIIPRKH”), poselok Rybnoe, 40a, 141821 Dmitrovskij rajon, Moskovskaya oblast’, Russia

^* Corresponding author: avzolotova@gmail.com

Abstract

The results of research on the effect of feed with different feeding values and organoleptic properties on the productivity of two-year-old carp are presented. Within the same pond, the joint use of demand feeders (feeds with different tastes) makes it possible for fish to choose one of them in response to well-developed chemoreception. Diets of different calories affect the quality of the resulting fish production at different feed consumption. The combination of two feed types within one pond provides fish food savings per gain, despite the higher total consumption. Two-year-old fish give preference to more high-energy fish food. At the same time, fish consume 1/3–1/4 of low-energy food, regardless of the feeding time. The mass of fish consuming only low-energy fish food is 1.7 and 2.6 times less than that of fish consuming only high-energy fish food and fish simultaneously consuming these two foods, respectively. Combined feeding contributes to an increase in the relative muscle mass, primarily in comparison with fish fed only a high-energy diet. Fish-farming biological characteristics indicate higher fish yielding qualities in the case of simultaneous use of two types of feed (K-111 and Karp-38/12). Taste priorities must be considered in aquaculture fish farming.