Growth Rate of Young Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, in Relation to Fish Size and Ration Level

Abstract

The specific growth rate of young sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) was studied for a period of 7 mo to determine the effect of body weight when on restricted and unrestricted rations. It was hypothesized that a restricted ration would result in a fixed growth rate until size became a limiting factor reducing food demand below the prescribed level and thereby reducing growth rate. The results support the hypothesis, with the possible exception that growth rate may increase slightly during the period of fixed ration. On excess ration the specific growth rate fell from 3.6% weight per day (2.4 g mean weight) to 1.0% weight per day (37 g mean weight); intermediate constant growth rates accompanied the periods of fixed ration, inflecting to lower rates subsequently. The general equation log G = a + b log W (where G = specific growth rate, and W = weight in grams) was found to apply to a number of salmonids. The slope value of b = −0.4 ±.04 appears to characterize the family, with the intercept a taking on different values according to the varying capacity for rapid growth.