Feed intake, growth and nutrient retention of common sole (Solea soleaL.) fed natural prey and an artificial feed

Abstract

This study compares growth, intake and retention efficiencies of nutrients and energy between common sole (Solea solea L.) fed ragworm (Nereis virens, Sars), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) and an artificial (commercial) feed. Food types were fed to common sole (mean initial body weight: 44.9 ± 2.3 g) in excess three times a day over a 54‐day‐period. The growth rate in common sole fed the natural prey (8.5 g kg−0.8 d−1) was significantly higher compared to the growth rate in fish fed the artificial feed (5.1 g kg−0.8 d−1). Nutrient and energy intake was significantly lower in common sole fed the artificial feed than in fish fed natural prey. The only exception was fat intake which was higher in common sole fed the artificial feed in contrast to fish fed the natural prey. Nutrient and energy retention efficiencies were significantly lower in common sole fed the artificial feed than in fish fed the natural prey. In conclusion, the low growth in common sole fed the artificial feed was related to lower nutrient and energy intake as well as lower nutrient and energy retention efficiencies. It is suggested that reduced intake of the artificial feed might be related to the high dietary fat content of the artificial feed.

Mussel (Mytilus edulisL.) and ragworm (Nereis virens, Sars) both alleviate anaemia in common sole (Solea soleaL.)

“…Fonds, Drinkwaard, Resink, Eysink and Toet () and Ende et al . () showed that the growth of sole fed mussel is comparable to the growth of sole fed ragworm. We, therefore, expect that also mussel will alleviate anaemia in sole, consequently showing comparable levels of haematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hb) for sole fed mussel or ragworm, but higher for sole fed pellet.…”

“…Common sole grows approximately 70% faster on ragworm than on commercial pellets (Ende, Kroeckel, Schrama, Schneider & Verreth ), the latter causing them to suffer from nutritional anaemia (Kals, Blonk, Palstra, Sobotta, Mongile, Schneider, Planas, Schrama & Verreth submitted). Changing the diet from pellet to ragworm alleviates this nutritional anaemia (Kals, Blonk, van der Mheen, Schrama & Verreth ).…”

Dietary inclusion of mussel meal enhances performance and improves feed and protein utilization in common sole (Solea solea, Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles

“…Recently, Ende et al. () showed a better growth in common sole juveniles fed fresh mussel in comparison with commercial dry feed, suggesting the use of mussels as a reference feed for this species. However, in that study, mussels were not used as a dry feed ingredient and the differences in the physical and chemical composition between the two sources of feed may have influenced palatability, feed intake and growth.…”

“…The evaluation of unconventional protein and lipid sources able to mimic the organoleptic characteristics of the sole's natural feed would be of particular interest for exploring the growth potential of this species using dry feed (Parisi et al, 2014). Recently, Ende et al (2014) showed a better growth in common sole juveniles fed fresh mussel in comparison with commercial dry feed, suggesting the use of mussels as a reference feed for this species. However, in that study, mussels were not used as a dry feed ingredient and the differences in the physical and chemical composition between the two sources of feed may have influenced palatability, feed intake and growth.…”

Feeding ragworm (Nereis virensSars) to common sole (Solea soleaL.) alleviates nutritional anaemia and stimulates growth

“…feed intake, feed efficiency and growth) of sole. Ende, Kroeckel, Schrama, Schneider and Verreth () found that common sole grew ±70% faster on ragworm than on a commercial feed.…”