[Effect of temperature on energy budget of Taiwanese red tilapia hybrid (Oreochromis niloticus x O. mossambicus)].

The energy budget of Taiwanese red tilapia hybrid (Oreochromis niloticus x O. massambicus) with a body weight of 25.33-26.23 g was measured at salinity 14 and at water temperature 22, 28 and 34 degrees C in July-August 1996. The results showed that its specific growth rate, conversion efficiency and maximum food consumption were significantly affected by temperature, and reached peaks of 1.79, 60.01% and 2.59% B.W.d-1 at 28 degrees C. The effect of temperature on the absorption efficiency was not significant, with an average absorption efficiency 64.58%. The effect of temperature on the proportions of food energy allocated to each component of the energy budget was significant. The ratio of growth energy was the highest(26.4%) at temperature 28 degrees C, and that of metabolism energy was 37.23%.