A computer simulated feeding program proposed by the optimum feeding rate trials in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, at the optimum temperature

Abstract

A computer simulated feeding program was proposed by eleven feeding trials to determine the optimum feeding rates for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, fed extruded pellets at the optimum temperature. The entire trials were grouped into four growth stages, namely the first stage of juvenile (5 and 9 g), the second stage of juvenile (20, 30, 40 and 50 g), growing (97, 240 and 317 g) and sub-adult (384 and 525 g) stages with 2, 4, 3 and 2 feeding trials, respectively. In the first set of experiments, the optimum feeding rates for the first stage of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, weighing 5 g (mean±SD) and 9 g were 4.83% and 4.52% body weight (BW)/day, respectively. In the second set, the optimum feeding rates for the second stage of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, weighing 20 g, 30 g, 40 g and 50 g were 3.52, 3.19, 3.02 and 2.38% BW/day, respectively. The third series of experiments showed the optimum feeding rates for growing olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, weighing 97 g, 240 g and 317 g to be 2.23, 1.09 and 0.99% BW/day, respectively. In the last experiments, the optimum feeding rates in sub-adult olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, weighing 384 g and 525 g were shown to be 0.74 and 0.70% BW/day, respectively. The optimum feeding rates determined in these feeding trials were used to develop a computer simulated daily feeding program for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, by weight. This program was run using some hypothetical values for fish weight and number of fish, and selecting some preset temperatures. The output showed the daily feed allowance in terms of feeding rate and actual weight of feed to be fed.