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¹ İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Aquaculture, 35620, Çiğli, İzmir, Turkey
² Yalova University, Armutlu Vocational School, Department of Aquaculture, 77500, Armutlu, Yalova, Turkey
³ Ege University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Aquaculture, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey DOI : 10.4194/2618-6381-v18_2_07 Viewed : 9744 - Downloaded : 7301 Feeding is an important factor for both cultured and ornamental fish species. This study was aimed to assess the effects of different feeds and feeding frequencies on growth, reproduction, coloration, ammonia excretion and profitability of auratus cichlids (Melanochromis auratus). The study was carried out in twelve fiberglass circular tanks (100 L) annexed to recirculating freshwater system. Ten fish (mean body weight 1.83±0.02 g and mean total length 4.08±0.02 cm) were placed in each tank with 1:4 (male:female) sex ratio. Feeding groups were determined with tropical granule (G) and trout pellet (P) and fish were fed with two feeding frequencies, including once daily (GF1, PF1) and thrice daily (GF3, PF3). The growth performance and reproduction parameters was influenced by feed type and feeding frequency in two-way ANOVA and PF3 group was the significantly highest among all these parameters (P<0.05). In contrast, skin coloration parameters of G groups were higher than P groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, the commercial pellet feeds are effective for growth performance but they caused to colour loss. These type of feeds can be used rotatory with tropical feeds and three times daily feeding is recommended for auratus cichlids. Keywords : Commercial feed, Meal frequency, Ornamental fish, Mbuna, Pigmentation