The effects of every-other-day feeding on the growth performance of yearling stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a skip-a-day feeding regime on the growth of one-year-old sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus. Sturgeons possess a spiral valve intestine, which slows down the passage of food to longer than 24 hours, providing a scientific justification for the expe...
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Published in | Journal of applied aquaculture Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 39 - 46 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Philadelphia
Taylor & Francis
02.01.2018
Taylor & Francis Ltd |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a skip-a-day feeding regime on the growth of one-year-old sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus. Sturgeons possess a spiral valve intestine, which slows down the passage of food to longer than 24 hours, providing a scientific justification for the experiment. The experiment had a duration of 12 weeks and consisted of two treatments groups with four replicates each. One group of sturgeons (n = 120) was offered feed every day, on a continuous basis, at 2% of their body weight daily; while a second group of sturgeons (n = 120) were fed every other day, also at 2% of their body weight daily. The sturgeons had an average initial body weight of 178 ± 32 g and measured 44.6 ± 2.9 cm in total length. At the end of the experimental period, all sturgeons were alive, in good health, and no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) on growth performance indices were detected between sturgeons fed every day and every other day. The average weights and lengths of sturgeons at the end of the trial were 406 ± 96 g and 55.4 ± 4.4 cm. The results of this study suggest that yearling sturgeon may be fed every other day rather than daily. A skip-a-day feeding regime can result in feed savings for a commercial operation, help protect the natural resources such as those for making fish meal, and lessen the impact of excess nutrients in natural bodies of water. |
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ISSN: | 1045-4438 1545-0805 |
DOI: | 10.1080/10454438.2017.1413478 |