Growth of Red Drum,Sciaenops ocellatus, to Maturity on Experimental Diets

Abstract

Red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, were raised from juveniles averaging 2.5 g to adults averaging 6.1 kg. Growth rates with simple experimental starter and grower feeds were similar to those with one of the best-performing commercial starter feeds for marine fish. Over the size range of 4.3-2,243 g, experimental feed cost per unit of growth gradually increased from $0.88/kg to $1.54/kg live weight (1996 prices). Thereafter, feed conversion and cost fluctuated, apparently because of temperature variation and fish maturation. Growth from 4.3 to 4,740 g was accomplished in 27 months with an average feed cost of $1.74/kg growth. Raising the fish beyond 4.7 kg was more costly because of worsening feed conversion.

Seasonal and Ontogenetic Variation in the Diet and Daily Ration of Estuarine Red Drum as Derived from Field‐Based Estimates of Gastric Evacuation and Consumption

“…Indeed, daily rations of up to 3-5% of individual body weight have been observed in tank-raised juvenile red drum during manipulative growth experiments (McGoogan and Gatlin 1999;Tomasso and Kempton 2000). However, estimates of red drum consumption rates, which are necessary to initiate an assessment of potential predatory impact, only exist for fish that have been held in commercial aquaculture operations (e.g., Tucker et al 1997); there are no field-based or bioenergetic estimates of red drum daily ration.…”