Acoustic characteristics of two feeding modes used by brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Under conditions of intensive culture, the acoustic signals produced by fish during feeding depend on their feeding mode. Exclusive suction, as used by turbot, is characterised by a maximum acoustic energy in the frequency range 7–9 kHz and a sound duration of about one minute depending of time duration of pellet distribution. Suction feeding in conjunction with forward swimming, as employed by brown trout and rainbow trout, had a maximum acoustic energy in the frequency range 4–6 kHz and feeding sounds were measurable only for short periods (less than 1 s) in between two pellet distributions by hand. The brevity of these feeding sounds (ca. 1000 ms) requires adapting the turbot acoustic-detection systems to actively feeding fish for developing automated feed distribution systems feasible in trout aquaculture.