Study On Feeding, Growth And Oxygen Consumption Of Young Soon Hock (Oxyeleotris Marmoratus)

Oxyeleotris marmoratus, commonly known as sand goby or soon hock, which is considered a first grade fish in Thailand and Malaysia as well as in other parts of Southeast Asia, is a commercially important species for inland fisheries. It is a very popular and highly demanded fish in the market because of its taste, non-bony flesh and high protein value.The paper studies on the effects of water temperature on the feeding and growth, and feeding habits and oxygen consumption rate of soon hock. The results shown as follow:Compared with different water temperature groups, soon hock got the highest food consumption rate, the best growth rate and food conversion rate under 29C. So we consider that the optimum temperature for food consumption and growth is 29C. It is reasonable to control water temperature in fish farming.The food consumption results also show that the preferable daily feeding rate is 18%~20% under 26C~32C.Daily observation shows that soon hock is a kind of fierce carnivorous fish. The feeding activity occured in any time but exhibit apparenlxhythm. During 6am-8am and 6pm~8pm, the feeding activity is especially active.Food transformation results show: it is the best time when total length between 4cm and 5cm to train soon hock to feeding artificial food, and the best food group is water worm.Oxygen consumption rate test results show that soon hock cannot endure the low dissolved oxygen(D.O) in the water, but can live ten or more hours out of water if only keep its skin wet.