February 15-18, 2009 Washington State Convention Center Seattle ...

PRELIMINARY NUTRITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SPOTTED SEATROUT
Cynoscion nebulosus
M. Shane Merryman*, Joe M. Fox, William H. Neill and Robert Vega
Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5869
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5869 USA
michael.merryman@tamucc.edu
In terms of recreational fishing, the spotted seatrout
(Cynoscion nebulosus) is one of the leading sports
fish in the U.S. With this popularity, a high potential
for overexploitation exists which could ultimately
diminish wild stocks. In Texas, state fisheries managers
have initiated a stock enhancement program along
the natural range of this species to supplement wild
stocks. This implies possible future need for aquaculture
of this species. With this in mind, two studies
were undertaken to address the basic nutritional needs
of spotted seatrout: 1) to determine feed rate for maximum
weight gain and maintenance and 2) to evaluate
the effect of involuntary exercise on growth. Six feed
rates (1-6% of total tank biomass/d, bwd) were evaluated
in triplicate tanks (n =18) for a period of 5 wk. A
total of 15 fish (mean initial weight = 1.4 ± 0.1g) were
stocked into each tank. Results showed significantly
higher weight gain (P