Food Intake and Changes of Gastric Digesta in Young Red Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus akaara

Abstract

Changes of the stomach size and food intake with growth, and changes in gastric digesta of formulated diet after feeding were estimated in young red spotted grouper (0.36-7.62 g) . The stomach weight increased proportionately with increased body weight, while the relative weight of stomach decreased proportionately with increased body weight. The amount of food intake increased exponentially with increased body weight, while the feed consumption rate decreased with increased body weight. After feeding, the gastric digesta decreased rapidly at first and then gradually, and it was extinguished after 10, 12, 20, and 24 hours in the fish having 0.36, 0.94, 1 and 7.62 g of average body weight, respectively.