The Effect of Ploidy on Growth and Feeding Pattern of Diploid and Triploid Turbot Scophthalmus maximus Under Communal Rearing Condition

Abstract

Triploidy induction is a useful tool to produce sterile fish that prevents interbreeding of farmed fish with wild counterparts. In this study, growth performance and feed conversion rates of 12-months old diploid and triploid turbot that reared both communally and separately for 16 months at constant water temperature determined. At the end of the experiment, diploid, triploid, and communally reared groups reached an average weight of 672.4±21.0 g, 659.2±25.3 g and 660.5±12.0 g, respectively. Any significant differences were not observed in the weight of separately reared diploid and triploid turbot groups. In contrast, triploid fish in the communal group were significantly heavier than diploids at the end of the rearing period. The feed conversion rate of the ploidy group did not show any significant difference between groups. The highest mean specific growth rate was observed in the triploids in communal groups, whereas the diploids in communal groups had the lowest mean specific growth rate. The weight and length gain rates of the groups were similar. Diploid turbot growth appeared to be negatively affected by communal ploidy rearing. The results of the present study indicate that triploid turbot farm escapees may be advantageous in terms of growth in nature.