GROWTH AND FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF CAGED ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SCOMBER-SCOMBRUS L

Wild Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L., aged 1 and 2 years, which overwintered in sea cages from October to June at temperatures above 5 degrees C had high rates of survival and adapted to feed on commerci al 4-mm food pellets, Growth and food intake was related to temperatur e and the specific growth rate (w) approached zero at around 7 degrees C. In contrast to the natural cycle, there were only small reductions in weight and fat content from January to May, No consistent influenc e of a 24-h photoperiod was found on growth and maturation, Independen t of the temporal food distribution, the mackerel exhibited high plast icity in growth and fat deposition in a starvation/re-feeding trial.