Feed intake in Atlantic salmon fed with two different spreading patterns of feed

Abstract

Atlantic salmon with initial body weight 0.6 kg kept in 3.3 m3 tanks was fed one meal daily, either by dropping the feed from one point, or by spreading the feed over the water surface, for one month. The relative feed intake (% of body weight per day) in salmon fed without spreading or with spreading of the feed was 0.63±0.05 and 0.64±0.02 %, respectively. The growth rate was identical in salmon fed without or with spreading of the feed, and no difference in variance in final weight was found. Fin damage was given a score at termination of the trial as a measure of competitive behaviour during feeding. No difference in fin damage for salmon fed without or with spreading of the feed was revealed. In conclusion, the data show that for the conditions used in the trial, spreading of feed had no influence on feed intake or growth of salmon.