Transformation of food in the fish Megalops cyprinoides II. Influence of quantity of food

Abstract

A Megalops cyprinoides of 60 g wet weight is able to consume daily a maximum amount of food (the prawn, Metapenaeus monoceros) equivalent to 5% of its own body weight. This amount of food is absorbed at the same efficiency as by an individual consuming daily the equivalent of 2% of its body weight. Hence the quantity of total food absorbed and converted per day must increase as a function of feeding rate. However, the increase in conversion efficiency showed a diminishing trend at a feeding level of 4% body weight per day.