Effects of ration size and temperature on the growth of juvenile common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.)

Abstract

The potential for growth (scope for growth) by juvenile carp ( Cyprinus carpio) fed various ration sizes, was examined for fish acclimated to temperatures over the range 12–30°C. Maximum growth rates of 0.71, 2.31, 3.12 and 3.32% body weight per day were recorded for fish acclimated to 12, 18, 24 and 30°C, respectively. For the same temperatures, respectively, maintenance rations were estimated as 0.40, 0.75, 1.20 and 1.90% of body weight per day. The overall maximum scope for growth, defined as the difference between the ration size for maximum growth and maintenance ration size, was estimated to occur at a temperature of 27°C. Food conversion efficiencies generally increased with higher acclimation temperature and always were higher at an intermediate ration.