A factorial model to predict phosphorus waste output of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Minimizing phosphorus (P) wastes is considered to be a key factor for environmental sustainability of freshwater aquaculture operations in many parts of the world. A factorial P model, consisting of digestibility, whole-body P deposition, P waste output and limnological transformation sub-models, was constructed to simulate the effects of different dietary P sources and levels on P utilization in salmonids. This factorial P model was developed based on information from the literature for rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). This factorial model runs on the platform of a fish bioenergetics model that provides dynamic estimates of feed intake of salmonids based on diet composition and growth rate. Simulations suggest that this model can potentially be a useful tool for waste output management of salmonid culture operations.