Feeding Rate of Carp Estimated by a Radioisotopic Method

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Abstract
The feeding rate was estimated for yearling carp living in a small lake contaminated with low‐level radioactive wastes. The amount of 137Cs that must be ingested to maintain the equilibrium body burden of the carp was calculated from measured values for body burden, biological elimination rates, and assimilation factors. The radioisotope was ingested by the fish as an integral part of its food items. The amount of food consumed was estimated by measuring the concentration of 137Cs in the food items. An age and growth study and the weight‐length relationship are given for the carp. The estimate of the average daily food intake was 5.36 g wet weight (3.9% of mean body weight) consisting of 2.4 g detritus and 1.6 g algae for maintenance, and 0.82 g detritus and 0.54 g algae for growth. On an energy basis, 3.7 kcal were consumed for maintenance and 1.3 kcal for growth. Net and gross food conversion factors were 3.18 and 12.55, respectively, and the ecological growth efficiency was 0.08.