Agricultural Research,Education and Extension Organization Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 1562-2916 18 3 2019 07 01 The effects of feeding rates on growth performance, conversion efficiency and body composition of juvenile snow trout, Schizothorax zarudnyi 507 516 118285 10.22092/ijfs.2019.118285 EN Hashem Khandan Barani Hamoun International Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Hosein Dahmardeh Department of Fisheries, faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mohadeseh Miri Hamoun International Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mahin Rigi Hamoun International Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Journal Article 2016 05 15 This study was performed to investigate the effects of feeding rates on growth performance, feed conversion and body composition of juvenile snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi). For this purpose, fish with an initial body weight of 2.17± 0.1 g were fed a commercial diet (40% protein, 3.8 Kcal/g diet) at five ration sizes 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of their body weight per day, for 60 days. Feeding trial was conducted in triplicate. Maximum weight gain, best feed conversion ratio (FCR), best specific growth rate (SGR %), highest energy retention (ERE %) and protein efficiency ratio (PER %) were evident for rations of 4–6% body weight. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis for PER, FCR and ERE indicated the break-points occurred at 4.9, 5.1 and 5.2% BW day−1, respectively. Maximum body protein content was obtained for 4% and 6% rations. Body moisture, fat and ash content remained unchanged. Based on the above results, it may be concluded that 4.9-5.2% body weight per day ration is optimal for the growth, conversion efficiencies and body composition of juvenile S. zarudnyi and it entails favorable economic benefits. https://jifro.areeo.ac.ir/article_118285_fe0138675a646f92bae5e465fea83637.pdf