Growth of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, to maturity on experimental diets

Red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, were raised from juveniles averaging 2.5 g to adults averaging 6.1 kg. Growth rates with simple experimental starter and grower feeds were similar to those with one of the best-performing commercial starter feeds for marine fish. Over the size range of 4.3-2,243 g, experimental feed cost per unit of growth gradually increased from $0.88/kg to $ 1.54/kg live weight (1996 prices). Thereafter, feed conversion and cost fluctuated, apparently because of temperature variation and fish maturation. Growth from 4.3 to 4,740 g was accomplished in 27 months with an average feed cost of $1.74/kg growth. Raising the fish beyond 4.7 kg was more costly because of worsening feed conversion. Thus, considering feeding costs, an increase in harvest size of red drum from the usual 1.0-2.0 kg range up to 4.0-5.0 kg seems feasible.