Feed intake, growth and feed conversion efficiency of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)

The individual food intake of each fish in each of four groups of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.) (mean weight: 422 g) was monitored by direct observation over a period of 21 days. Gross feed conversion efficiency (= growth·feed intake^?1), net feed conversion efficiency and maintenance ration were estimated by regression analysis. Specific growth rates were found to be linearly related to weight-specific consumption at a temperature of 8–9°C: growth = 1.922· feed intake ? 0.242. Maintenance ration was 0.126% of body weight day^?1. The gross feed conversion efficiency increased asymptotically with increasing feed intakes and growth rates, and was found to approach 1.9 at high growth rates (0.5 on a dry weight basis). One feeding per day seemed to be sufficient for maximum food intake and growth rate.     

Effect of ration size on growth,body composition,and energy and protein maintenance requirement of fingerling Indian major carp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> (Hamilton)

An eight-week feeding trial has been conducted to determine the optimum ration for Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, fingerling (4.10 ± 0.30 cm, 0.55 ± 0.16 g) by feeding a purified diet (40% CP; 3.61 kcal g⁻¹ GE) at six levels, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12% of body weight per day, at 0800 and 1600 h, in triplicate, to 20 fish per trough fitted with a water flow-through system. Highest weight gain, best feed conversion ratio (FCR), best specific growth rate (SGR%), and highest protein efficiency ratio (PER) were evident for rations of 6–8% body weight. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis for FCR, PER, protein, and energy retention data indicated the break-points occurred at 6.55, 6.75, 6.80, and 6.95% bw per day, respectively. Significant (P < 0.05) differences between body composition were observed for fish fed different rations. Maximum body protein content was recorded for 6% and 8% rations. A linear increase in body fat content was evident with increasing ration. Body moisture and ash content remained non-significantly (P > 0.05) low for higher rations, however. On the basis of these results it is recommended that feeding in the range 6.5–7.0% bw per day corresponding to 2.6–2.8 g protein and 23.49–25.31 kcal energy per 100 g of the diet per day is optimum for growth and efficient feed utilization of Labeo rohita. Results for 2–4% rations (0.8–1.6 g protein and 7.23–14.46 kcal energy) suggest these amounts approximate to the maintenance requirement of this fish.     

Does overfeeding affect tench Tinca tinca (L.) juveniles?

Duplicate groups of tench (Tinca tinca) juveniles (mean weight 0.69 g) were fed at 28 °C for 70 days either a commercial formulated diet, Futura, or frozen Chironomidae larvae at four levels: below satiation, at about satiation, above satiation and well above satiation. These are represented by the feeding groups F1–F4 and C1–C4, respectively. No mortality was observed throughout the experiment. In groups F2–F4 a considerable incidence of uneaten food (>40% observations), deformities of the caudal penduncle, retarded growth, elevated condition coefficient (>1.2), reduced amounts of minerals in the tissue (<10% dry matter), high C/N ratio (>5) and high caloric value of the tissue (>28 J mg⁻¹ dry matter) (the latter two suggesting excessive fat deposits), were found. The combination of these indices was indicative of overfeeding in fish fed the Futura diet at the daily doses ≥2.7% fish biomass. First symptoms of overfeeding: a considerable incidence of uneaten food, retarded growth, and elevated C/N ratio were observed in the group fed Chironomidae larvae at the highest level, (C4, wet Chironomidae 20.7% of the fish biomass daily, that is, 3.9% of dry chironomids per fish biomass and day). Thus, restricted daily doses of formulated diet not exceeding 2.5% fish biomass are recommended for tench juveniles aged 130–200 days post hatch. Safe daily doses of frozen Chironomidae (in terms of larvae dry weight) remain below 3.5% of fish biomass.     

Fat content in turbot feed: influence on feed intake, growth and body composition

The influences of dietary fat concentration on growth and energy deposition were studied in two replicated groups of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.). Individually tagged turbot (202.3 g) held at 15.6 °C were offered dry pellets in excess. These contained either high-fat (25.4%) or low-fat (16.6%) concentration and identical protein (43.2%). After 3 months, feed treatments were crossed in two replicates, and the remaining fish were offered a mix of feeds for a further 2 months. Fish were sacrificed for analysis of body composition at the start of the experiment, at the time of feed treatment changes and when the experiment was terminated. There were no significant differences in energy intake, specific growth rate or weight between treatments at any time during the experiment. At the time of the feed treatment change fish offered high-fat feed had a significantly higher relative body fat (8.2 vs. 6.3% w/w) and lower body water (71.2 vs. 73%), but there were no differences in protein or ash content. By the end of the experiment, differences in body composition had diminished. The results indicate that fat content in the turbot may be manipulated by changing the dietary fat content, apparently without major influences on weight gain.     

Diet and water temperature affect growth and body deformities in juvenile tench Tinca tinca (L.) reared under controlled conditions

The experiment was designed to determine the combined effect of fish diet and water temperature on juvenile tench Tinca tinca (L.). Three diets were used: commercial dry diet for fish Aller Futura (diet F); frozen Chironomidae larvae (diet C); and Aller Futura substituted with Chironomidae at a ratio of 3:2 (dry weight; diet FC). Daily food rations and duration of the experiment were adjusted to temperatures of 20°C, 23°C and 26°C based on a correction factor q equal to 1.000, 0.779 and 0.609 respectively. The experiment lasted 92, 72 and 56 days for the respective temperatures. No mortality occurred. The highest relative growth rates were found at 26°C in diets F and FC. The lowest food conversion ratio of 1.12–1.22 (recalculated for dry weight of feed diet) was determined in fish fed diet F at 23°C and 26°C. A high value of condition index appeared to be the early warning of decreasing biological quality of fish and deformities. The lowest incidence of fish with deformities (IDef) was found in groups fed diet C (<1%), while the highest (90%) in fish fed diet F at 26°C. A lower share of dry diet in the fish food and a lower water temperature led to a lower IDef. Thus, amount of dry feed in fish diet was the major factor inducing body deformities, while water temperature only modified the effects of the dietary factor. Diet C at 23–26°C was the most cost‐effective of the tested combinations of diet and temperature.     

Effects of restricted feeding regimes on growth and feed conversion on juvenile green sea urchin,Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Groups of juvenile green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (average wet weight = 3.3 g), were fed five different dry feed rations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 2.4% of their body weight per week) under constant light and temperature conditions for 160 days (Experiment I) in groups to examine growth effects, and for 40 days as individual treatments (Experiment II) to examine feeding efficiency. There was 100% survival of the sea urchins during both experiments. In Experiment I, the lowest ration group (0.2%) had significantly lower growth than the rest of the groups. There was no significant differences in growth between the sea urchin fed ration over 0.4% dry feed of the body wet weight per week. In Experiment II, the lowest feed ration groups (0.2%) had significant lowest growth but had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR), using 0.5 g of feed of dry feed per gram of sea urchin wet weight body growth. The FCR increased with increasing feed ration and the 2.4% group had the poorest FCR, using 1.3 g of feed per gram weight gain. Results from Experiments I and II illustrate that juvenile green sea urchin can grow at a restricted feed ration that is under maximum feed intake, without reduction in growth.     

The interrelation between temperature regimes and fish size in juvenile Atlantic cod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus morhua</Emphasis>): effects on growth and feed conversion efficiency

The present paper describes the growth properties of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) reared at 7, 10, 13 and 16 °C, and a group reared under “temperature steps” i.e. with temperature reduced successively from 16 to 13 and 10 °C. Growth rate and feed conversion efficiency of juvenile Atlantic cod were significantly influenced by the interaction of temperature and fish size. Overall growth was highest in the 13 °C and the T-step groups but for different reasons, as the fish at 13 °C had 10% higher overall feeding intake compared to the T-step group, whereas the T-step had 8% higher feeding efficiency. After termination of the laboratory study the fish were reared in sea pens at ambient conditions for 17 months. The groups performed differently when reared at ambient conditions in the sea as the T-step group was 11.6, 11.5, 5.3 and 7.5% larger than 7, 10, 13 and 16 °C, respectively in June 2005. Optimal temperature for growth and feed conversion efficiency decreased with size, indicating an ontogenetic reduction in optimum temperature for growth with increasing size. The results suggest an optimum temperature for growth of juvenile Atlantic cod in the size range 5–50 g dropping from 14.7 °C for 5–10 g juvenile to 12.4 °C for 40–50 g juvenile. Moreover, a broader parabolic regression curve between growth, feed conversion efficiency and temperature as size increases, indicate increased temperature tolerance with size. The study confirms that juvenile cod exhibits ontogenetic variation in temperature optimum, which might partly explain different spatial distribution of juvenile and adult cod in ocean waters. Our study also indicates a physiological mechanism that might be linked to cod migrations as cod may maximize their feeding efficiency by active thermoregulation.     

Comparative survival and growth performance of European lobster larvae,Homarus gammarus,reared on dry feed and conspecifics

A bottleneck of crustacean larval culture concerns nutrition and associated cannibalism in communal rearing systems, which impact on larval survival, development and growth. For early‐stage European lobster, Homarus gammarus larvae, feeding ecology and body composition are largely unknown. We initiated four progressive feeding experiments (novel feed types, feeding regime and feed size and cannibalism effects) on growth and survival, to inform and update husbandry protocols. Performance of larvae offered a dry commercial feed was not significantly different compared with a conventional wet plankton feed of the same ration and size grade (both within 600–1,000 μm). Further experiments found that the same ration of dry feed offered six times daily improved development and growth, over the conventional regime of three times daily. Small‐grade dry feed (particles: 250–360 μm) improved larval performance compared with a larger feed (360–650 μm). Larvae were also fed different proportions of dry feed and/or conspecifics in both communal and individual rearing systems (the latter preventing cannibalism via segregation). Individually reared larvae, fed only dead conspecifics, displayed the greatest survival (80%) to postlarvae. This underlines the impact of cannibalism on survival and nutrition in H. gammarus larviculture. A final experiment analysed H. gammarus zoea 1 composition, identifying deficiencies in ash and carbohydrate in lobster feeds. This suggests a need for a species‐specific, formulated dry feed for H. gammarus larviculture. Our research represents the first investigation of H. gammarus larval composition and dietary requirements and highlights decreased growth potential associated with providing nutrition solely from generic commercial feed.     

Effects of feeding rates on the growth, survival and feed utilization of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon Babylonia areolata Link 1807 in a flowthrough seawater system

The effects of feeding levels on the growth, survival and feed utilization of hatchery-reared juvenile Babylonia areolata Link 1807 were assessed at four daily rations of 3%, 5%, 10% and 15% of body weight. Three duplicated groups of juveniles (mean initial body weight 0.26 ± 0.3 g) were stocked into indoor rearing tanks supplied with a flowthrough system of ambient natural seawater for 150 days. Growth in body weight differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the various feeding levels. Final body weight of individual snails increased with increased feeding ration at a particular ration level. Meanwhile, increasing the daily ration to 10% and 15% significantly improved growth and feed utilization efficiency. The food conversion ratios (FCRs) for the 3% and 5% feeding levels were significantly lower than those for the other feeding levels. Final survival was best at feeding levels of 10% and 15% of body weight, ranging between 96.9% and 97.3%, but was very poor at the 3% and 5% feeding levels, ranging from only 49.5% to 54.8%.     

Growth and feed utilization of gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>, L.) fed to satiation and restrictively at increasing dietary energy levels

Three isoproteic (47% protein) diets were formulated to contain graded levels of crude fat (diet D16:16%, diet D24: 24% and diet D32: 32%). Each diet was fed to satiation in three and to 80% satiation in two replicate groups of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), having an initial body weight of 72–74 g. The trial lasted 81 days. Groups fed to satiation showed higher final body weight (FBW; 238.8–252.3 g vs. 218.0–229.3 g) and daily growth index (DGI; 2.49–2.65%/day vs. 2.27–2.34%/day) than those fed to 80% satiation. Feed intake was significantly different both for feeding level and for diet composition. Fish fed to satiation had higher feed conversion rate (FCR) compared to the 80% satiation groups (1.33–1.44 vs. 1.13–1.17; P ≤ 0.001). Within satiation groups, FCR was significantly lower in fish fed D16 compared to fish fed D32 (1.33 vs. 1.44, P ≤ 0.05), whereas no statistical differences were found within the 80% satiation groups. The increase in dietary lipid level did not improve growth performance, feed efficiency and protein utilization but decreased gross lipid efficiency. Conversely, a reduction in ration from satiation to 80% satiation decreased DGI, thus improving FCR. Feed costs were influenced by dietary energy level and feeding ratio, the lowest energy diet at 80% satiation being the most profitable combination among the variables.     

Feeding time,frequency and ration affect growth and energy allocation in young adults of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus

In a 62‐day growth trial, wild caught Lytechinus variegatus (ca. 18 g, 35 ± 2 mm dia.) were fed as follows: (i) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered once daily in the morning (AM treatment); (ii) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered once daily in the evening (PM treatment); (iii) ration equivalent to 1.5% of average body weight proffered twice daily (every 12 h, AM/PM treatment); (iv) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered in the evening on alternate days (EODSR/PM); or (v) ration equivalent to 6% of average body weight proffered in the evening on alternate days (EODDR/PM). At 30 and 62 days, wet weight gain among urchins fed daily was significantly higher than that of urchins fed on alternate days, regardless of ration size. At 62 days, reduced gonad dry matter production and gonad index were observed among individuals fed on alternate days, regardless of ration size. At 30 and 62 days, feed conversion ratio was optimized among individuals fed daily and in the EODSR/PM treatment. These data suggest that, for culture of L. variegatus, daily feeding will optimize growth, gonad production and feed efficiency regardless of ration size or time of feeding.     

Effects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of a tropical bagrid catfish

A 10 week experiment was conducted to determine theeffects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of the tropical bagrid catfish,Mystus nemurus. Catfish fingerlings with anaverage initial body weight of 12 g were fed apractical diet (36.2% protein, 16.5 kJ/g diet) atrates of 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or 5% of their bodyweight (BW) per day in two equal meals. Watertemperature was approximately 29 °C throughoutthe experiment. Percent weight gain increased almostlinearly with increasing feeding rates up to 2.5%BW/day beyond which no significant (P > 0.05)improvement in weight gain was observed. The specificgrowth rate of catfish fed rations of 1% BW/day was0.72%/day and this increased significantly to anaverage of 1.39%/day for catfish fed 2.5% BW/day andbeyond. Feed utilization did not differ significantly(P > 0.05) between fish fed 1.0 to 2.5%BW/day but decreased when rations were increased to3.0% BW/day and above. Feed efficiency ratio was0.79 for catfish fed 1.0% BW/day compared to a ratioof 0.27 for fish fed at 5% BW/day. Catfish fed 1.0%BW/day had the lowest condition factor, hepato- andviscerosomatic indices, but the highest carcass tobody weight ratio. These fish also had lowerproportions of whole body dry matter, lipid andprotein, carcass dry matter and lipid, and visceraldry matter and lipid than fish in other groups. Therewere no significant differences in either conditionindices or relative body composition of fish fedrations of 2.0 to 5.0% BW/day. Based on the growth,feed efficiency and body composition data obtained, afeeding rate of 2.5% BW per day is recommended forM. nemurus fingerlings raised at 29 °C.     

Growth of cultured seahorses (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippocampus abdominalis</Emphasis>) in relation to feed ration

This investigation examined the effect of varying feed ratios on cultured seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) growth and survival using frozen mysids (Amblyops kempii) at daily feed rations of 5, 10, 15 or 20% wet body weight. Feeding these different feed rations did not result in any significant difference in seahorse standard length after 3 months. However, seahorses fed the 10–20% rations were heavier and with higher condition factor (CF). Based on the total amount of frozen mysids offered to the seahorses, the food conversion ratio (FCR) became less efficient with increasing feed ration. However, when the actual mysid consumption was factored in there were no significant differences in FCR. There was a significant difference in daily specific growth rate (SGR), with the 5% ration having the lowest SGR. On a cost/benefit basis, based on the total amount of mysids offered the most cost effective ration for daily length and weight increase was the 5% ration. With actual mysid consumption taken into account, cost/benefit value favoured the 5 and 10% feed rations. Survival was 100% across all treatments. Based on this, a feed ration of 5–10% wet body weight per day of frozen mysids is recommended for cultured H. abdominalis     

The effect of feeding on oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of juvenile tench Tinca tinca (L.) reared in a water recirculating system

The effect of feeding frequency (one, three, and continuous feeding), feed ration (0.2, 0.5, 0.8% of total fish biomass), and feeding per se on the oxygen consumption (OC, mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and ammonia excretion (AE, mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) of juvenile tench (body weight 15–19 g) and variations in these parameters in daily cycles were examined. Fish metabolism was studied in a recirculating system (rearing tanks of 0.2 m³, water temperature 23 °C). It was found that oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion depended significantly on feed ration. An increase of feed ration from 0.2 to 0.8% of fish biomass caused an increase of OC and AE from 126.80 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 1.95 mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ to 187.35 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 8.80 mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (p<0.05). There was no dependence between feeding frequency and the mean rate of oxygen consumption. However, the relationship between feeding frequency and ammonia excretion by juvenile tench was statistically significant (p<0.05). Feeding frequency significantly affected daily fluctuations of AE and OC. It was found that diurnal variations in metabolic rates were strictly related to tench feeding, and the daily variations of AE were significantly higher than OC.     

Fin condition and growth among rainbow trout reared at different sizes,densities and feeding frequencies in high-temperature re-circulated water

Rainbow trout were studied at different rearing densities, fish sizes and feeding frequencies so that we could evaluate the effect of these parameters on fin condition, growth and feed utilisation. In one study, two sizes of rainbow trout (18–70 g or 48–125 g), fed to near satiation at 17.7°C, were examined at two rearing densities (11–41 kg m⁻³ or 21–92 kg m⁻³). This study showed that the anal fin was healthier (P < 0.05) at low densities. In the second study rainbow trout were again fed to near satiation and grown from 50 g to 125 g in 16.4°C water, and they were fed either once daily or three times daily at two densities (18–45 kg m⁻³ or 54–124 kg m⁻³). Rainbow trout growth and feed utilisation were slightly but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced at high densities, while dorsal fin condition, surprisingly, was better (P < 0.0001) at the high densities. Possible explanations to these findings are discussed. Condition of the left pectoral fin was improved at once daily feeding (P < 0.05) compared with three feedings per day, at which fights for feed possibly are more frequent.     

The effect of different diets on the growth and mortality of juvenile pikeperch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>) in the transition from live food to formulated feed

The efficiencies of four feeding methods were compared in the transition period from live food to dry feed in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Pond-nursed fry were trained to artificial feed without a transition (Group P) and with a transition, using a combination of dry feed and different kinds of live food—Chironomus larvae (Group C), Tubifex (Group T) and Daphnia (Group D)—during a 12-day-long trial. The ratio of dry feed for the transition groups was increased from 0 to 100% in 3-day intervals. The highest specific growth rates and condition factors were detected for Group C (4.2%, 1.46 ± 0.5) and Group T (4.2%, 1.48 ± 0.6), respectively. The survival percentages of the groups were as follows: 86.7 ± 9% (Group C), 78 ± 4% (Group T), 52 ± 1.4% (Group D) and 41 ± 9% (Group P). The rate of cannibalism ranged between 6.3 and 13.7% during the transition period. Larger-sized fish seemed to learn more rapidly to accept dry feed than their smaller counterparts.     

Effects of Dietary Protein and Feeding Rate on Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Production, Composition of Gain, Processing Yield, and Water Quality

A 2 ± 4 factorial experiment was conducted to examine effects of dietary protein level (28, 32, 36, and 40%) and feeding rate (satiation or ± 90 kg/ha per d) on production characteristics, processing yield, body composition, and water quality for pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Fingerling channel catfish with a mean weight of 64 g/fish were stocked into 40 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 17,290 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation or at a rate of ± 90 kg/ha per d for 134 d during the growing season. Dietary protein concentration had no effect on feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion, survival, aeration time, or on fillet moisture, protein, and fat levels. Fish fed to satiation consumed more feed, gained more weight, had a higher feed conversion, and required more aeration time than fish fed a restricted ration. Visceral fat decreased, and fillet yield increased as dietary protein concentration increased to 36%. Carcass yield was lower for fish fed a diet containing 28% protein. Increasing feeding rate increased visceral fat but had no major effect on carcass, fillet, and nugget yields. Fish fed to satiation contained less moisture and more fat in the fillets that those fed a restricted ration. Nitrogenous waste compounds were generally higher where the fish were fed the higher protein diets. Although there was a significant interaction in pond water chemical oxygen demand between dietary protein and feeding rate, generally ponds in the satiation feeding group had higher chemical oxygen demand than ponds in the restricted feeding group. There was a trend that pond water total phosphorus levels were slightly elevated in the satiation feeding group compared to the restricted feeding group. However, pond water soluble reactive phosphorus and chlorophyll-a were not affected by either diet or feeding rate. Results from the present study indicate that a 28% protein diet provides the same level of channel catfish production as a 40% protein diet even when diet is restricted to 90 kg/ha per d. Although there was an increase in nitrogenous wastes in ponds where fish were fed high protein diets, there was little effect on fish production. The long term effects of using high protein diets on water quality are still unclear. Feeding to less than satiety may be beneficial in improving feed efficiency and water quality.     

Ammonia autointoxication of common carp: case studies

Three case studies of ammonia autointoxication of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) are described. In the first case, carp yearlings with a full digestive tract were transferred during the growing period from pond water (22°C) to tap water (17°C). In the second case, marketable carp were transferred from the fishing ground of a pond (18°C) to a storage pond (10–12°C). Harvest was performed in late September when the fish were still ingesting natural feed. In the third case, marketable carp after storage for 1 month were transferred to storage ponds with markedly lower water temperature. Stress because of harvest and handling also occurred in this case. In all cases, highly increased concentrations of ammonia were found in the blood plasma of the fish (mean ± SD 1760 ± 350 μmol L⁻¹ in the first case, 870 ± 540 μmol L⁻¹ in the second case, and 880 ± 150 μmol L⁻¹ in the third case). Highly congested, dark-red coloured, oedematous gills were observed for all specimens. We can avoid similar cases of ammonia autointoxication by protection of fish from sudden changes of temperature during rearing, harvesting, and handling.     

Success of nursing ide (Leuciscus idus, L.) fry related to the period of feeding with live food

The ide Leuciscus idus (Linnaeus 1758) belongs to autochthonous, less frequent and vulnerable fish species in the frame of ichthyofauna of the Czech Republic. It was the reason for testing the possibility of captive breeding and production of fry in a controlled environment. The goal of this paper was to find the optimal transfer time of ide larvae from live food (Artemia salina nauplii) to dry starter feed providing good survival and growth. At the end of the experiment, high values of cumulative survival (in percentages) and individual weight (in milligrammes) were found for ide fry in groups D (90.6%, 178.6 mg; 15 days A. salina + 10 days starter feed), A (89.9%, 169.9 mg; A. salina only) and C (88.6%, 160.4 mg; 10 days A. salina + 15 days starter feed). Significantly lower values of the given parameters were found in group B (57.1%, 92.6 mg; 5 days A. salina + 20 days starter feed), and the lowest ones were in group E (29.8%, 75.6 mg; starter feed only). Mean values of the level of ontogenesis at the end of the experiment in fry of A–E groups were analogous to length and weight growth. Groups D, C and A consisted of juveniles only (J1, J2), and groups B and E consisted of larvae and juveniles (L4, L5, L6, J1, J2). Condition and production parameters [Fulton’s coefficient of condition (FWC), total length (TL), weight (w), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), cumulative survival] and relationships between basic lengths TL, fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) were evaluated.     

Digestibility in selected rainbow trout families and relation to growth and feed utilisation

Experiments have been carried out aimed at clarifying variations in the digestibility of dietary nutrients in rainbow trout families and studying how differences in digestibility may be related to growth and feed utilisation at various growth rates. The digestibility of protein, lipid, carbohydrates (nitrogen-free extracts, NFE) and dry matter was analysed in two experiments involving eight rainbow trout families [Ab, Ba, Cd, Dc (first study); V, X, Y, Z (second study)]. In the first experiment rainbow trout were reared for 128 days at 13.0°C, and in the second experiment, they were reared for 84 days at 16.8°C. In both experiments, the fish were fed ad libitum and reared from an initial weight of 70–100 g to a final weight of 500–700 g. When the fish reached a weight of approximately 200 g, some individuals were moved to another experimental system in which the digestibility of protein, lipid, nitrogen-free extracts and dry matter was measured. Taken as a whole, our results indicate that selective breeding still offers a large potential for improved growth and feed utilisation in rainbow trout strains. In the first study, family Dc showed a higher specific growth rate (SGR) than the other three families (P < 0.05), and family Ba showed a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than family Ab (P < 0.05); there were no observed differences in digestibility despite some differences in growth. In the second study, family Y grew faster than all of the other families (P < 0.05), and family Z grew faster than families V and X (P < 0.01). A comparable pattern was seen for FCR, with family Y utilising feed better than family V (P < 0.05), and families V, Y and Z performing better than family X (P < 0.001). Protein digestibility was higher in the two fastest growing families (Y and Z) than in the slower growing family X (P < 0.05), while lipid digestion was higher in family Y than in family V (P < 0.05). A comparison of the results from both experiments revealed that protein digestibility in particular was closely related to the SGR and the FCR at high growth rates. However, despite the advantageous protein digestibility on fish growth, analysis of the protein retention efficiency (PRE) showed that when protein was ingested in relatively large amounts, as in the fastest growing families, the “excess” nitrogen was excreted and therefore did not contribute to protein deposition in the fish body. Hence, the potential weight gain offered by improved protein digestibility does not materialise when the protein intake is above a certain level. Other factors must therefore explain the positive relation between fast growth and high protein digestibility.