RESUMO -Com objetivo de avaliar a influência da freqüência alimentar no ganho de peso, na taxa de crescimento específico, na conversão alimentar e na sobrevivência de juvenis de jundiá, 12 grupos de 280 peixes (7,47 ± 1,73 g) foram estocados em viveiros de terra (2 peixes/m 2 ). Uma dieta comercial extrusada, com 42% de PB, foi fornecida até a aparente saciedade em quatro regimes de arraçoamento: 1, 2, 3 e 4 vezes ao dia, em triplicata, durante 120 dias (maio a setembro de
Effect of feeding frequency on performance of jundiá juvenilesABSTRACT -The influence of feeding frequency was evaluated on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion and survival of jundiá juveniles. Twelve groups of 280 fish (7.47 ± 1.73 g) were each stocked in twelve ponds (2 fish/m 2 ) and fed to apparent satiety an extruded commercial feed containing 42% CP In four feeding schedules: 1, 2, 3 and 4 times a day, in triplicate, for 120 days (May to September, 2003). Average weight gain was recorded by sampling 10% of the total fish/ pond approximately every forty days. Water quality was monitored throughout the experimental period by measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, ammonia, alkalinity and hardness which were 18.1 ± 0.1ºC, 7.9 ± 0.2 mg/L, 8.0 ± 0.8, 109 ± 29 cm, 0.5 mg/L, 46 mg/L CaCO 3 , and 40 mg/L CaCO 3 , respectively. Fish weight gain and specific growth rate increased as feeding frequency increased. Juveniles fed four times a day showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate than fish fed just once a day. Feed conversion did not differ significantly among feeding frequencies, however survival was significantly higher for the groups fed three times a day when compared to the ones fed only once a day. Therefore, jundiá juveniles weighing from 8 to 45 g should be fed at least twice a day, when raised in earthen ponds at an average water temperature of 18°C.