Growth parameters in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labraxL.): effects of live weight and water temperature

Abstract

The voluntary feed intake (VFI) and growth rate of sea bass were studied for 147 days, based on different starting live  weights, under natural photoperiods and varied water temperatures. Sea bass (n = 720) were divided into five weight  classes (60-70, 90-110, 130-150, 160-180 and 230-250 g) and distributed among 20 tanks. Seven different water tem-  peratures were compared: 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 °C. A commercial extruded diet (N x 6.25, 43.7% DM; crude  fat, 25.7% DM) was used. The trial was performed in a closed-circuit plant, with a daily water turnover rate of 10%. Each  tank was fitted with an apparatus for collecting the uneaten food. Automatic feeders distributed equal amounts of food  for ten meals per day. The daily food allowance was adjusted, based on fish biomass, to permit ad libitum feeding and  to leave approximately 20% uneaten. Fish were exposed to natural photoperiod (March-July). Non-linear regression  equations were used to calculate the best-fitting curves for the data. 

Keywords

• Voluntary feed intake, Growth rate, Body weight, Temperature, Sea bass