Effects of different feed amounts on the growth performance of gilthead sea bream (Sparusaurata) in the Black Sea

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth performanceof gilthead sea bream (Sparusaurata) fed by different feed amounts in the Black Sea. The gilthead sea bream with an average weight of 11.24±0.04 g was fed by restricted amounts of food (Group I) and ad libitum (Group II) for 127 days. At the end of the study, the average weight and feed conversion rates of Group I and Group II were 70.58±0.79 and 74.26±0.54 g and 1.68±0.07 and 2.19±0.15 g, respectively. Group II showed higher growth between III and VI periods where the water temperature was relatively high. The growth was limited in the periods between VII to IX under optimal temperature value. At the end of the study, growth differenceswere not significantly differed between the groups (p>0.05). While the final weight, relative growth rate, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and survival were not significantly different (p>0.05), there was a significant difference in feed conversion rate between the groups (p<0.05). At the end of the study, it could be concluded that water temperature is the most important factor in the growth rate of Gilthead Sea Bream in the Black Sea.

Keywords: Black sea, Gilthead sea bream (Sparusaurata), feeding, growth, feed efficiency, temperature.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3576-3580