Effects of feeding and stocking density on digestion of cultured Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

The combined effects of feeding rate (0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2% initial body weight/day), feeding frequency (two, three, and four times/day) and stocking density (10, 15, and 20 kg/m3) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) on growth performance, digestion and waste generation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were investigated in an 8-week orthogonal experiment (L9(3)3) with a constant daily water renewal at 7.50% of total volume. No mortality occurred during the experimental period. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied from 0.90 to 1.13 and specific growth rate (SGR) ranged from 0.48% to 0.69%/day. SGR, thermal growth coefficient (TGC) and FCR were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the three factors, while net protein utilization (NPU) was significantly (P<0.05) affected. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter in the present study were in the range 66.12%–73.55%. ADC in protein, lipid and energy were statistically different among all treatments and in the range of 90.07%–93.67%, 81.54%–89.15%, and 67.55%–71.87%, respectively. The proportion of mean total ammonia nitrogen excreted ranged from 1.37% to 1.64% of feed nitrogen at steady state, and the concentration of nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds were differently correlated to the three factors. The results will provide valuable reference data for culture management decisions in the Atlantic salmon farming industry.