Determination of growth performance of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) in the Eastern Black Sea between october and april

In this study, the growth performance of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) were determined in cages, in the Eastern Black Sea.The horse mackerel were captured in October 2010 and stocked in three separate cages, each cage contained thousand fish. The study was conducted between October 9, 2010 and April 11, 2011. The fish were fed on twice a day. Water quality parameters were recorded daily. Values of fish length and weight were measured monthly.Average length, weight and condition factor values were evaluated; 12.20±0.97 cm, 24.09±3.25 and 1.30 ±0.12, respectively at the beginning of the study and, 17.10±1.01 cm, 51.43±1.62 g and 1.11±0.12 end of the study. Length and weight-specific growth rates and average feed conversion ratio were determined; 0.175±0.019% (0.15?0.19), 0.429±0.008% (0.42?0.44) and 2.33±1.44 (0.83?3.72), respectively. The mortality rate was very low and survival rate was 98.14±1.73%.According to results, horse mackerel could be cultured in cage culture. Hence, it was expected to be achieved substantial growth performance at the water temperature was suitable for horse mackerel in spring and summer months.Key Words: Horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus, Growth performance, Food conversion ratio, Condition factor, Eastern Black Sea