The
Effect of Rearing Density on Growth, Survival, and Feed Conversion of
Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon
W.A. Jodun,
M.J. Millard, J. Mohler-2002
North American Journal of Aquaculture, 64(1): 10–15
Abstract:
We investigated the effect
of rearing density on the growth and survival of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus
using initial rearing densities ranging from 10 to 30 fish per tank or
3.6–10.9 kg/m2 of substrate. The mean weight of fish at the start of the
trial was 368.7 g. After 7 weeks of rearing, density ranged from 6.5 to 16.3
kg/m2 (14.7–36.6 g/L). Fish reared at the lowest density had significantly
higher mean weight and length at the end of the trial. Growth over the
7-week experiment was modeled as a function of time, and growth rate was
inversely proportional to density. The mean increase in total biomass was
63.14%, and the mean daily length gain was 0.23%. Overall survival was
99.7%, and calculated feed conversion rates ranged from 1.93 to 2.65.
However, feed conversion rates were likely not at maximum levels due to the
selection of a relatively high experimental feeding rate (2.5% of body
weight per day).
(U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Northeast Fishery Center, Post Office Box 75, Lamar,
Pennsylvania 16848, USA)