(Influence of several feeding levels on the growth of rainbow trout, Salmo irideus Gibbons, Osteichthyes, Salmoniformes, Salmonidae.)

Abstract

This experiment was carried out at Estação Experimental de Salmonicultura de Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, Brazil (22°45'5 and 45°30'W) with the purpose to evaluate the influence of several feeding levels on the growth, feeding efficiency and the condition factor of rainbow trout, during the growth period. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and two repetitions. The treatments were represented by 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6% of body weight in daily ration. After 168 days of culture, the variance analysis showed significant differences in growth weight among the treatments. The feeding efficiency decreased with the increase of the feeding rates and the increase of the body weight. The data obtained at 250 g body weight indicated that the condition factor increased with the increase of feeding levels.