Impact of feed ration on the growth and body weight variation in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) at different life stages in a recirculating aquaculture system

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of different feed rations (0.5, 0.8, 1.1% fish biomass) on the rearing parameters of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), reared in a recirculating aquaculture system. The study comprised two experiments. In the first, the material used had been sorted by a mean body weight of 35.5 g, while in the second the pikeperch were divided into three size classes: smallest individuals (class S) with a mean body weight of 59.5 g, medium-sized individuals (class M) with a mean weight of 69.3 g, and largest individuals (class L) with a mean body weight of 84.8 g. The experiments ran for 42 days. At the conclusion of the experiments, the highest body weight and length, daily growth rate, and specific growth rate were attained by the group of fish fed the ration of 1.1% of the fish biomass in both experiments I and II. The feed conversion ratio was also the lowest in this feed ration group, and it differed significantly statistically among the experimental groups (P < 0.05). The feed ration of 0.5% of the fish biomass was only sufficient to maintain vital functions, but it contributed only slightly to growth. The different feed rations did not have a significant impact on the final value of the body weight coefficient of variation of the pikeperch reared in the two experiments. The results of the experiment also indicated that pikeperch is a species with weak stock hierarchy and domination structure.