Kentucky State University

Effect of Pellet Size Fed to Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) on Growth and Feed Conversion Efficiency

Institution

Kentucky State University

Abstract

Fish should be fed the largest pellet they can consume for optimal growth. This allows the least expenditure of energy when feeding. If too small a pellet is fed, inefficient feeding results as too much energy is expanded searching for and consuming many small pellets. If too large, some individuals may not be able to ingest the pellet. As a general rule, the pellet size should be 20-30% of the species mouth gape. As the name implies, the largemouth bass is capable of consuming very large food items. Based on equations that allow mouth gape to be estimated by measuring total length, the pellet size for 8 cm largemouth bass juveniles should be 6-7 mm. However, current pellets fed are 4.8 mm or approximately 25% of the size recommended. The effect of pellet size on the efficiency of largemouth bass grow out should be evaluated to potentially improve feed conversion efficiency and growth. A feeding trial was conducted with juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in aquaria to evaluate the effect of pellet size on growth of juvenile largemouth bass in controlled conditions. Feed-trained largemouth bass (10 g) were randomly stocked into 114-L glass aquaria at 10 fish per aquarium and fed to apparent satiation once daily. There were three replicate aquaria per dietary treatment. Water was monitored 1x/day for temperature and dissolved oxygen. Water quality measurements were taken 3x/week for total ammonia-nitrogen, un-ionized ammonianitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, and pH. Based on preliminary observations, large differences in average weight are not apparent. The fish will be harvested on December 1, and harvest results will be presented in the poster.

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Effect of Pellet Size Fed to Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) on Growth and Feed Conversion Efficiency

Fish should be fed the largest pellet they can consume for optimal growth. This allows the least expenditure of energy when feeding. If too small a pellet is fed, inefficient feeding results as too much energy is expanded searching for and consuming many small pellets. If too large, some individuals may not be able to ingest the pellet. As a general rule, the pellet size should be 20-30% of the species mouth gape. As the name implies, the largemouth bass is capable of consuming very large food items. Based on equations that allow mouth gape to be estimated by measuring total length, the pellet size for 8 cm largemouth bass juveniles should be 6-7 mm. However, current pellets fed are 4.8 mm or approximately 25% of the size recommended. The effect of pellet size on the efficiency of largemouth bass grow out should be evaluated to potentially improve feed conversion efficiency and growth. A feeding trial was conducted with juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in aquaria to evaluate the effect of pellet size on growth of juvenile largemouth bass in controlled conditions. Feed-trained largemouth bass (10 g) were randomly stocked into 114-L glass aquaria at 10 fish per aquarium and fed to apparent satiation once daily. There were three replicate aquaria per dietary treatment. Water was monitored 1x/day for temperature and dissolved oxygen. Water quality measurements were taken 3x/week for total ammonia-nitrogen, un-ionized ammonianitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, and pH. Based on preliminary observations, large differences in average weight are not apparent. The fish will be harvested on December 1, and harvest results will be presented in the poster.