Jacobs, J.M., Hyde, G., Schutz, J.R., Van Heukelem, W., Harrell, R.M.
Abstract:
Intensive culture of the striped bass, Morone saxatilis, is continuing to increase as the technology and economics for recirculation systems becomes more feasible. One of the major inputs in any aquaculture operation is well documented to be feeding. Therefore determination of optimal feeding strategies will only serve to improve profitability.
We examined growth performance of phase I striped bass for eight weeks during the summer of 1995 fed three different rations (5, 7.5 and 10% body weight per day) at four different feeding schedules (2, 3, 4, and 6 times per day by hand). All treatments were run in 70 L conical bottom flow-though tanks in triplicate, and all fish were full siblings. Mean starting weight was about 1 g each. Ending weight ranged from the smallest size of 6.03 g in the fish fed twice a day et 5% of their body weighs to 13.79 g in the fish fed four times a day at 7.5% body weight. Temperature ranged from 25 to 29 C.
Statistical analysis revealed the three and four feedings per day at 7.5 % provided the best overall growth and condition factor (not shown). Given the fact there were no significant differences found between the three and four feedings per day at 7.5 %, from a labor perspective, it appears feeding phase I striped bass three times per day at a ration of 7.5 % body weight per day is optimal.
(University of Maryland Center For Environmental and Estuarine Studies, Horn Point Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 775
Cambridge, MD 21613, USA)
(to be continued)
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