Black Bream Diet and Growout Phases

Natural Diet

Black bream feed mainly upon crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes and finfish, depending on abundance (Sarre et al., 1999), but also consume detritus and plant material (Holt, 1978; Thomson, 1957; Wallace 1976; Sarre et al., 1999). The dietary composition of black bream from different estuarine systems can vary markedly. For example, in the Swan River estuary their diet is mainly mussels while in the Moore River estuary (WA) their diet is mainly algae (Sarre et al., 1999).

Grow-out

When stocked, juveniles must be allowed to progressively adjust to the water qualities of the new grow-out environment. Initial use of a cage or pen allows losses to be assessed (Sarre, in prep.). In general, black bream should be stocked in dams with a winter salinity greater than 3 ppt and they will grow better in the warmer end of their natural range, provided food is adequate. Unless the farm dam is particularly productive, supplementary feeding with pellets may be needed.

Intensive research on optimum diets for black bream has not been undertaken but omnivorous species usually do not require high protein levels in the diet. The protein and energy of dense feeds currently in vogue for barramundi (Fowler, 1999) are probably unsuitable for black bream and excessive build-up of body fat has been a problem with some diets. Research on the suitability, for black bream, of a range of commercial aquaculture feeds is planned (Sarre, in prep.).

Health problems with black bream have been rare under hatchery conditions and a useful guide to problems and treatments is given in Jenkins et al. (1999).

Informtation courtesy of the WA Department of Fisheries