Effect of Temperature and Feeding Rate on the Liver–Somatic Index of the Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

Abstract

At a controlled food intake level after 14 days at a given feeding regime, the liver–somatic index (liver weight as a percentage of body weight) of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, was positively correlated with daily food intake. At temperatures of 20.0 and 28.0 °C there was no overlap in the ranges of the liver–somatic index of bass fed 0, 2, and 4% of their body weight in live green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) per day. Within a given feeding regime, increased temperature lowered the liver–somatic index.