Growth and Feed Conversion of Sub-Yearling Atlantic Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus, at Three Feeding Rates

Abstract

Growth and survival of fingerling Atlantic sturgeon, Aci-penser oxyrinchus, were examined at three different feed rates. Sturgeon (mean initial weight±SD of 28±12 g) were offered a closed-formula, commercially-available sturgeon diet (48.5% protein, 16.2% fat, 9.9% moisture, 7.6% ash, 0.5% fiber and 17.4% nitrogen free extract) via 24-hour, time-controlled feeders at rates of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% body weight per day (BW/day). Mean water temperature was 16.8°C. After 49 days of feeding, final length, final weight and feed conversion were all significantly affected by feeding rate (P ≤ 0.05). Peak feed conversion occurred at a ration of 1.5%, while maximum increase of both length and weight occurred at approximately 3.0%. No mortality occurred during the seven-week trial. The choice of feeding rates will ultimately depend upon production requirements and the culturist. Offering diet at a rate of 3.0% BW/day will result in significantly greater growth accompanied by high survival. Delivering diet at a rate of 1.5% BW/day will result in equally high survival and require approximately 50% less diet. It will, however, yield lower growth rates.

Key Words:

• Atlantic sturgeon
• Acipenser oxyrinchus
• growth
• nutrition
• feeding rate
• culture