The Effect of Rearing Density on Growth, Survival, and Feed Conversion of Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon

We investigated the effect of rearing density on the growth and survival of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus using initial rearing densities ranging from 10 to 30 fish per tank or 3.6–10.9 kg/m2 of substrate. The mean weight of fish at the start of the trial was 368.7 g. After 7 weeks of rearing, density ranged from 6.5 to 16.3 kg/m2 (14.7–36.6 g/L). Fish reared at the lowest density had significantly higher mean weight and length at the end of the trial. Growth over the 7-week experiment was modeled as a function of time, and growth rate was inversely proportional to density. The mean increase in total biomass was 63.14%, and the mean daily length gain was 0.23%. Overall survival was 99.7%, and calculated feed conversion rates ranged from 1.93 to 2.65. However, feed conversion rates were likely not at maximum levels due to the selection of a relatively high experimental feeding rate (2.5% of body weight per day).