Sardine-Based Diet Mitigates Growth Depression at Low Temperatures in Juvenile Meagre (<i>Argyrosomus regius</i>, Asso 1801)
2025
Lav Bavčević | Slavica Čolak | Renata Barić | Siniša Petrović | Tin Klanjscek
Low seawater temperatures are expected to depress fish growth in aquaculture. However, recent evidence suggests diet composition may offer mitigation for some species. This study evaluated the impact of different diets on juvenile meagre (<i>Argyrosomus regius</i>) in cage farming at low seawater temperatures (average 15.19 °C), conditions known to typically suppress meagre growth. Three replicated groups of fish (initial weight ≈ 107 g) were fed for six months either sardines (group A) or commercial pellets (groups B/C, with group C moisturized). The results demonstrate that the nutritional profile of sardines effectively mitigates cold-induced growth reduction in meagre. While pellet-fed meagre experienced expected growth depression, sardine-fed meagre exhibited a doubled temperature growth coefficient (TGC) and an 80% higher final average weight than the pellet groups (A: 346.13 g, B: 194.44 g, C: 188.93 g).
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