The Influence of Stocking Density on Growth and Feed Efficiency in Gilthead Seabream, Sparus aurata

The effects of the stocking density on growth performance and feed efficiency in gilthead seabream Sparus aurata were investigated at cage culture conditions. Three stocking density (36, 40 and 44 fish m(-3)) were tested in the experiment lasted eleven months (from 1 January to 5 December 2006). Replication number was three in low stocking density group (36 fish m(-3)) two in medium density group (40 fish m(-3)) and three in high density group (44 fish m(-3)). A total of 2000 gilthead seabreams with a mean initial body weight of 36.4 +/- 0.4 g (mean SE) were used in the experiment. Feeding regime was applied with commercial feeds as ad libitum. Weight gain, specific growth rate, thermal-unit growth coefficient increased linearly, daily feed intake, feed conversion rate decreased quadratically and protein efficiency rate increased quadratically with increasing stocking density in the range of 36-44 fish m(-3). Results indicated that stocking density of 44 fish m(-3) cause to improve on growth, feed efficiency and gross benefit compared to stocking densities of 36 and 40 fish m(-3) in gilthead seabreams.