CAN TURBOT, PSETTA-MAXIMA, BE FED WITH SELF-FEEDERS

The capability of turbots to use self-feeders was studied using 3 grou ps of 100 juveniles. Feeding activity reached a plateau after 20 days. Almost all feeding activity was observed during the photophase, and t he acrophase was associated with dawn. The proportion of nocturnal dem ands was the highest in the replicate with the lowest feed efficiency, suggesting that feed waste was mainly occurring during nocturnal feed ing activity. During the last 30 days of the experiment, demands were only rewarded during two periods of 2.5 h.day(-1). Feed efficiency was improved and was homogeneous between the three tanks, but the volunta ry feed intake was reduced. It is concluded that turbots are able to u se self-feeders but they do not adapt quickly, and they are not able t o compensate a reduction of feed access by increasing demand activity during the access period.