Bioenergetics and growth of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus, under culture conditions

Harris, Shael Anne

Bioenergetics and growth of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus, under culture conditions

Master Thesis

1991

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

The bioenergetics and growth of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus, under culture conditions were determined to assess its suitability for mariculture. Fish were captured by seine netting, from nearby estuaries and transported to the laboratory where they were successfully kept for the duration of the experimental period. The fish were initially fed on white mussels and then weaned onto a diet of commercial trout pellets. The bioenergetics of L.lithognathus was examined using a large, simple closed system respirometer in which nitrogen excretion and oxygen consumption were measured simultaneously. This system permitted the use of groups of fish for experiment which simulated aquaculture conditions. The effects of fish size, ration size and temperature on faecal and nonfaecal excretion, and on oxygen consumption of L.lithognathus were examined.