1National Prawn Fry Production and Research Centre, P. Sayak, Kedah.
2 Marine Finfish Production and Research, Tg. Demong, Terengganu.
3Fisheries Research Institute, Batu Maung, Penang.

The evaluation of feed was conducted in two culture system i.e. tanks and floating cages. In tank system, the mean SGR recorded was 1.7 - 2.2 % per day. The mean FCR recorded was 1.5 - 2.0. No significant difference observed in SGR and FCR of fish cultured at different stocking densities. In floating cages system, the daily growth rate recorded was between 1.4 to 2.1 g/fish/day. The SGR recorded were between 1.2 to 1.9  % per day. Results showed that locally produced sinking pellet was accepted by the seabass and the performance of locally produced feed was comparable if not better than those formulated feed tried elsewhere. There was no major technical constraint for applying pressed sinking pellet in cage culture operation.

Seabass culture in Malaysia started in early 70's (Chua and Teng, 1977). Despite its relatively long history, culture of seabass in floating cages is still heavily dependent on trash fish as the main source of feed.  For economic and technical reasons, there is a tendency to move towards more intensive production system.  This development also requires development of efficient feeds and feeding management.  The use of dry formulated feed could maximise the nutrient retention in fish. Besides, it will also allow for feeding mechanisation, reduce feed storage problems and maintaining feed quality.
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of locally made dry formulated feed in seabass cage culture.

The initial weight of fish in trial I and trial II was 30 - 40 gm and 30 - 45gm respectively. The fish were fully adapted to dry feed before the trial started. Six circular tanks (Ø 114 cm, H 110 cm) with a holding capacity of 1120L and a working capacity of 1000L were used in trial I.  Six unit of floating cages were used in trial II. The cages measured about 3.2 x 3.2 x 2.2 m (20 m3 operating volume). The net was made of polyethylene of 2.5 and 3.75 cm mesh size. The cages were located in Sungai Merbok. The feed used was dry pressed pellet processed at NAPRE (for 4 mm diameter) and at private feedmill (for 6 mm diameter). The composition of the diet and its proximate composition are shown in table 1 and table 2 respectively.
The study was carried out in two different culture system i.e. fibreglass tanks and floating cages. In tank system (trial I), fish were cultured under three different stocking density i.e. 2, 4 and 8 kg /m3. At the start and end of the trial, 30 fish from each tank were anaesthetised for individual measurements of length and weight. The fish were also bulk weighed after 21 and 42 days. The fish were fed 3 times daily.