Effects of different tank colors on feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758)

The present study has investigated on feed efficiency and growth performance of juvenile Seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1752) under culture conditions with different tank colors. Triplicate groups of experimental fish have been distributed into 12 tanks, which consited of four different tank colors, i.e. red, blue, green, and yellow. All fish in the trial received the same diet for a period of 60 days. Fish with an average weight of 44 g were stocked in a tank environment at a rate of 40 fish/tank. All experimental tanks were supplied with seawater of 22 ppt salinity and the seawater temperature ranged between 17-20 °C during the course of the experiment. Tank water volume in the experimental facility of the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was set to 40 L. The RAS system consisted of biofiltration, UV filtration, and gravel-mechanic filtration units. Results in the present study demonstrated that growth performance and feed utilization were affected by the tank colors tested in the trial. Furthermore, the sellection of appropriate tank colors might affect economical benefits in aquaculture facilities.