Renewal of Voluntary Feeding by Wild-Caught Atlantic Sturgeon Juveniles in Captivity

Abstract A modification of previously documented force-feeding procedures resulted in the renewal of appetite by several wild-caught juvenile Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus. Four of four fish under controlled laboratory conditions responded positively to this technique within 1 month. These fish exhibited negative mean growth rates of −2.71 g/d before force-feeding and gained an average of 2.61 g/d at 285 d after initiation of force-feeding. Mean lengths, weights, and coefficients of condition (K) also increased after force-feeding. This method may be useful in other situations in which the holding of juveniles or adults is necessary, such as in zoos and public aquaria.