Growth Rate and Body Composition of Fingerling Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, in relation to Temperature and Ration Size

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Abstract
The growth of young sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) was studied at temperatures ranging from 1 to 24 C in relation to rations of 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6% of dry body weight per day, and at an "excess" ration. Optimum growth occurred at approximately 15 C for the two highest rations, shifting progressively to a lower temperature at each lower ration. The maximum growth rate for sockeye 5–7 months old was 2.6%/day; that for fish 7–12 months old was 1.6%/day. At 1 C a ration of 1.5%/day was sufficient to provide for a maximum growth rate of 0.23%/day. The maintenance ration was found to increase rapidly above 12 C, amounting to 2.6%/day at 20 C. No growth took place at approximately 23 C despite the presence of excess food.Isopleths for gross and net food-conversion efficiencies were calculated. A maximum gross efficiency of 25% occurred in a small area with a center at 11.5 C and a ration of 4.0%/day; a maximum net efficiency of 40% occurred within a range of 8–10 C for rations of 1.5%/day down to 0.8%/day, the maintenance level.Gross body constituents changed in response to the imposed conditions, varying in extreme from 86.9% water, 9.4% protein, and 1.0% fat for starved fish at 20 C to 71.3% water, 19.7% protein, and 7.6% fat on an excess ration at 15 C.It is concluded on the basis of growth and food-conversion efficiency that temperatures from 5 to 17 C are most favorable for young sockeye, and that a general physiological optimum occurs in the vicinity of 15 C.

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