Growth and feeding of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus (Cuvier) (Sparidae), under experimental culture conditions

Growth and feeding of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus (Cuvier). under culture conditions was determined to assess its suitability for mariculture. Ration size ranged from 4.50% to 11.52% and from 1.67% 4.00% dry body weight for small (28 ± 2 g) and large (250 ± 23 g) fish, respectively. Condition factor (K) ranged from 1.19 to 1.35 and from 2.00 to 2.19 for small and large fish, respectively. Specific growth rate (SGR) at 16°C was 0.60% day⁻¹ for 28‐g fish, 0.29% day⁻¹ for a 74‐g fish, and 0.19% day⁻¹ for a 250‐g fish. Gross conversion efficiency (GCE) was inefficient at high feeding levels (21.3%) compared with low feeding levels (32.6%). Proximate body composition in terms of moisture, protein. lipid, ash and energy were not significantly affected by feeding regime or temperature (P > 0.05). The experiments indicate that feeding regimes should be maintained at relatively low levels to obtain optimum K, GCE and SGR, and to avoid over‐feeding and food wastage. It was concluded that L. lithognathus could be a suitable candidate for mariculture.