Title : Growth performance, body composition and metabolic response to feeding rates in juvenile Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis
Abstract:
The Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis, together with other Sardinella spp, accounts for 5% of the world production of marine fish. The Brazilian sardine is not only ecologically important but is also one of the most commercially important fishery resources caught along the south-eastern Brazilian. It is currently captured by various fleets for use in the canning industry and extensively as live bait for skipjack tuna fishery, and its availability varies seasonally due to overfishing and environmental changes. Recent attempts to breed Brazilian sardine in captivity have resulted in the first production of larvae in south of Brazil. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding rate on growth performance, body composition, plasma metabolites and enzyme activities, and to determine the optimal feeding rate for juvenile Brazilian sardine.