Food utilization by Tilapia mossambica (Peters): Function of size

Experiments were done with three size groups of Tilapia mossambica (Peters) to study the rate of energy intake, absorption and conversion and absorption efficiency and conversion efficiency. Experimental animals were fed with beef ad libitum for a period of 40 days. It was found that the rates of intake, absorption and conversion of energy were inversely related to size, whereas efficiencies of absorption and conversion were directly related to size. The reason for the marked difference in the efficiency of energy conversion between small and large size groups is discussed.