A comparison of food conversion, growth, and weight loss due to deprivation of two subspecies of largemouth bass

Over a 217-day period 32 specimens each of two subspecies of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides and M. s. floridanus) were evaluated in terms of food conversion, growth, weight loss due to deprivation, and weight gained subsequent to deprivation. Bass were placed in individual compartments in plastic wading pools in the laboratory. It was shown that salmoides converted forage to flesh more efficiently, whereas, floridanus grew at a faster rate. Differences were also noted in rates of weight loss due to deprivation; however, this was attributed to the dissimilar initial sizes of the subspecies. No differences were noted in total weight gained subsequent to deprivation; however, dissection revealed that eight of 15 salmoides females were ripe, whereas only one of 15 floridanus females showed signs of ovarian development at the reported maturation age.