The effects of feeding frequency on growth of juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding frequency on growth of juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. Fish (22–75 g) fed three (3 ×) or five times per day (5 × day−1) under constant light and temperature (13±1°C) consumed significantly more feed than fish fed 1 × day−1 but by the end of the experiment only fish fed 5 × day−1 were heavier and had greater specific growth rates (SGR). Under simulated winter conditions (9L:15D, 5±1°C), halibut (∼300 g) fed every other day consumed more feed, had a greater SGR and final weight compared with fish fed every third day. Feed conversion ratios were not different among treatment groups in any of the experiments. These results suggest that growth rates may be improved by feeding juvenile halibut more than 1 × day−1.