Effect of feed rate and feeding frequency on growth of juvenile Pompano Trachinotus marginatus
Author: Viviana Lisboa da Cunha (Currículo Lattes)
Supervisor: Dr Luís André Nassr de Sampaio
Abstract
The Carangidae family comprises a series of economically important fish, abundant in tropical and sub-tropical waters. The Trachinotus marginatus pampo is easily adapted to intensive farming systems, proven by the rapid acceptance of artificial diets. However, to determine the viability of cultivating a species, it is necessary to know the limiting factors for its production. The feeding rate and the appropriate feeding frequency are important for the correct feeding management of a cultivated species. Knowledge of the “Specific dynamic action” (SDA) is also important and can assist in determining the carrying capacity of the production system. The objective of this work was to establish the optimal feeding rate,adequate food frequency and study the rate of postprandial oxygen consumption for juvenile pampo. The experiments were carried out with juveniles (4.8 ± 0.6g) collected in the wild and acclimated to the laboratory. Different feed rates (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20% of total biomass per day) and food frequency (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 times a day) were tested. Oxygen consumption was assessed with fish fed 12% of biomass per day. It is suggested to use a feed rate of 8% of biomass per day and a feed frequency of 6 to 8x/day for juvenile pampo, in order to optimize growth and the apparent feed conversion rate. A peak of oxygen consumption was observed at 30 min after feeding and after 150 min of feeding, oxygen consumption returned to baseline level.