Growth and survival of Atlantic salmon fed semimoist or dry starter diets

Growth and survival were compared for first‐feeding fry of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed a closed‐formula commercial preparation, BioDiet, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service high nutrient density diets 398 or 406 for 14 weeks. Growth of fry fed BioDiet for 2, 3, 4, or 6 weeks from first feeding and then fed diet 406 for the rest of the 14‐week study was also examined. Growth was fastest in fish fed exclusively diets 398 or 406 for 14 weeks, or BioDiet for 2 weeks followed by diet 406 for 12 weeks; survival was about 68, 82, and 92% respectively, for these three groups. These results indicate that in Atlantic salmon fry growth was most rapid and survival highest among fish fed BioDiet for the first 2 or 3 weeks followed by diet 406.