Effect of Feeding Rate on Growth and Feed Conversion of Florida Red Tilapia Reared in Floating Marine Cages

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate growth, survival and feed conversion of Florida red tilapia reared in floating cages in seawater under different feeding regimens. Twenty‐four cages (1 m³) were anchored in a sea pass on Great Exuma, Bahamas, and each was stocked with 300 juvenile, monosex males (10 g mean weight). Growth was monitored every 14 days for 84 days. Fish were fed daily a floating pelletized diet (32% protein) at 4 programed rates representing 50, 70, 90, and 110% of the estimated satiation rate, ad libitum, and by demand feeders, with each treatment comprised of 4 replicate cages.Final mean weight was significantly lower for the 50% treatment (94.1 g) than for all other treatments (range = 121.8–155.7 g). Final mean biomass per cage ranged from 24.2 to 39.4 kg/m³, and survival ranged from 98.2 to 99.8%.Mean specific growth rate was significantly lower under the 50% programed feeding treatment (2.42%/day) than for all other treatments (range = 3.15–3.56%/day) while feed conversion ratios (dry weight/wet weight) were significantly lower under the 50% (1.57) and 70% (1.68) programed feeding treatments than under all other treatments (range = 1.98–2.26). Thus, maximum growth was achieved at feeding rates near satiation while feed conversion was improved at lower feeding rates. Under demand feeding, growth and feed conversion were not significantly different than those of the ad libitum, 100%, and 90% treatments.