Activity and feeding behaviour of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) in sea pens

Behavioural observations were undertaken on Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) held in sea pens to determine food acceptance (proportion of food consumed) and activity levels of cod fed three different diets (capelin and two formulated feeds) and to determine how these behaviours were influenced by seasonal changes in water temperature. Results indicated that cod fed capelin had a significantly lower latency to handling feed, and rejected significantly fewer items than cod fed the formulated feeds. The capelin-fed cod also grew significantly more than those fed either formulated feed. The differences in growth appeared to be due to the proportion of each feed which the fish consumed, rather than any intrinsic qualities of the feeds. With declining temperature, activity levels decreased and feeding latency increased for fish from all three feed groups; however, food handling frequency and rejection rate increased for fish fed formulated feeds while remaining constant for fish fed capelin.