Annual cycles of growth rate, feeding rate, food conversion, plasma glucose and plasma lipids in a population of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) farmed in floating marine cages

Specific growth rate, average daily food intake, gross conversion efficiency, plasma total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and glucose were evaluated annually in a population of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) intensively reared in floating marine cages. These data are aimed at improving productivity and allows more precise limits to be placed on the hematological parameters which are a necessary precondition for the assessment of fish condition and health. Specific growth rate (%), average daily food intake (%) and gross conversion efficiency showed relatively higher values in the warm spring and summer months. The specific growth rate correlated better with the seawater temperature and the average daily food intake than with the photoperiod. The concentrations of plasma total lipids, triglycerides and glucose were higher in summer. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations were higher during the pregametogenesis and gametogenesis periods. Plasma triglycerides correlated better with photoperiod and plasma glucose than with the seawater temperature.