Effects of feeding frequency on growth, feed consumption, and body composition in juvenile turbot (Psetta maxima Linnaeus, 1758) at low temperature

Abstract

Juvenile turbot Psetta maxima (Linnaeus, 1758) (15.23 +/- 2.99 g) were fed to satiation with a commercial extruded feed over a 60-day period. Feeding regimens were twice a day (TD), every other day (EOD), and 2-day intervals (TDI). Fish were kept in seawater (18 ppt) at 5-7.5 degrees C from January 21 to March 23, 2004. Feed conversion rate ( FCR) and the protein efficiency ratios (PER) were within the ranges of 1.12-1.14 and 2.26-2.29, respectively. While the maximum relative growth rate (RGR), weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) were recorded in the TD group, they were lower in the EOD and TDI groups. Both the SGR and RGR increased as feeding frequency increased. The feeding frequency influenced the chemical composition of the fish. Lipid and protein content of the fish increased in the TD group. In terms of SGR and RGR, it can be concluded that the best growth rates of Black Sea turbot cultured at 5-7.5 degrees C were obtained from the fish in the TD and EOD groups.