Optimum temperature and growth performance of hatchery reared Black Sea flounder (Platichthys flesus luscus Pallas, 1814)

The present study focused on the effect of water temperature on growth and feed conversion ratio of juvenile Black Sea flounder (Platichthys flesus luscus; initial weight: 2.0 g ± 0.01 g). The experiment was carried out for 84 days with the following range of water temperatures: 13, 17, 21, and 25 °C. Growth, food consumption, and feed conversion ratio were the highest at 21 °C and the lowest at 13 °C. The growth rate of the fish increased with water temperatures up to 21 °C and it decreased significantly with a further increase in temperature. The conclusion of this study was that the optimal water temperatures for growth and feed conversion ratio for Black Sea flounder were 20.9 °C and 20.2 °C, respectively.