Determination of the optimal feeding rate in juvenile stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus in different sizes

In order to determine the optimum feeding rate in rearing of stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus, based on feed consumption, an experiment was conducted in three groups of low, medium and high weights of 11.71 ± 0.68, 41.2 ± 1.87 and 421.76 ± 15.88 g, respectively, in a completely randomized design in concrete tanks. The fish were fed based on appetite for seven months with 2 to 6 times daily feeding frequencies. The amounts of consumed feed and daily temperature were recorded. During the experiment, the temperature range was 13.5 ± 5.5 °C. At the end of the experiment, nutrition and growth parameters were measured. The results exhibited that the body weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio of fish in the low-weight group were significantly different from the other two groups (p<0.05). The maximum growth rate and lowest food conversion ratio were also observed in low-weight group. Furthermore, according to results, the average feed consumption rates in fish with 11-183 g and 41-173 g in weights were 1%, while 0.88% in those with 421 to 553 g in weight. No mortality was observed during the experiment in the studied groups. Moreover, according to the amount of feed consumed, a table was designed to determine the appropriate feeding rate in stellate sturgeon at different weights and temperatures, which can be a guideline for rearing of this species.