Growth and energy budget in juvenile croaker (Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest 1823))

Abstract

Four different ration sizes of fresh squid (Illex argentinus) at 1 %, 3%, 5%, and 7% body weight per day were given as food to fishes weighing 32–45 g. Feeding-growth tests were run at 15 ± 1 4°C for 20 days. There was a significant increase in fish mean weight with the corresponding increase in food ration from 3% to 5% per day. Maintenance ration was established at 1.16% per day, while optimum daily ration was 3.4%. Energy absorption efficiency was 89–91%, while food energy utilization efficiency (K) was low (20% at 5% ration) with corresponding low rates of weight increase.