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The influence of feeding regime on growth and slaughter traits of cage-reared Atlantic salmon

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Abstract

The effects of different feeding methods on growth and slaughter traits of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, have been examined. Swimming activity associated with feeding was greatest amongst fish fed using automatic feeders, intermediate amongst those fed predetermined rations by hand, and least in groups of fish fed to satiation twice per day. Fish fed to satiation ate more and grew faster than did those provided with rations predicted to support high rates of growth, but the fish fed to satiation had higher feed:gain ratios than those given predetermined rations as two meals per day. The muscle tissues of the fish fed to satiation had higher lipid (%) and lower moisture (%) contents than did those of the fish fed the predetermined rations, but differences in muscle composition could be accounted for by differences in the size of the fish. Lipid was positively, and moisture negatively, correlated with fish size, whereas per cent protein and dress-out losses were little influenced by fish size and feeding regime. The fish fed to satiation were slightly heavier for a given length than those in the other groups. There was, however, no evidence that the largest fish had the highest condition factor, nor could condition factor be used to predict per cent lipid in the muscle tissue. Size variation increased in all groups of fish, and this was, in part, due to the cessation of growth of maturing individuals. Size variation was, however, most marked in the groups fed using automatic feeders, suggesting that interindividual competition for food was greatest amongst these fish.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway

    S.J.S. Johansen & Malcolm Jobling

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  1. S.J.S. Johansen
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  2. Malcolm Jobling
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Johansen, S., Jobling, M. The influence of feeding regime on growth and slaughter traits of cage-reared Atlantic salmon. Aquaculture International 6, 1–17 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009250118318

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