Producers may opt to use inorganic fertilizers low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus to maintain moderate algal blooms. Ordinary rock salt can be used to counter the toxic effects of nitrites on fish the chloride blocks the uptake of nitrite in the gills. More is not necessarily better when it comes to a feeding regimen for Phase II hybrid striped bass fingerlings. In his study, Daniels compared the growth rates of groups of fish fed once, twice or four times daily. He found that a twice-daily feeding routine once at dawn and once at dusk had the optimum benefit in terms of overall production and favorable size distribution.
Little benefit is gained by feeding more often than twice a day.
This is good news for the producer since fewer feedings reduce the cost of food, labor, fuel and wear and tear on machinery. In addition, overfeeding contributes to deterioration of water quality. Daniels found that fish fed only once a day either just dawn or just dusk were significantly smaller than those fed twice daily. On the other hand, fish fed at least twice a day were larger than 80 g. Extreme differences in size among hybrids are largely caused by aggressive feeding behavior of a few fish in the competition for food, Daniels observed. Difficult to sell, they have a negative impact on profitability of fingerling production.