Influence of size and maturity on food conversion efficiency in the spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus)

The effect of size and maturity on food conversion efficiency of the spiny lobster, Pur~rrlirrrsh onrcrrirs was studied using clam meat as feed. Rates of feeding. assiniilation, metabolism and conversion showed negative correlation with increase in size. Maximurii feeding rate of 254.87 j/ g/day was recorded in the smallest size group (l3.17g). Net energy conversion efficiency, excluding exuvia, was highest - 15.4% - in the smallest size group and decreased to 6.6% in the biggest size group (256.668). Considerable quantity of converted energy was lost as exuvia and the loss showed a positive correlation with increase in size. Total energy budget has been estimated for different size groups. Onset of maturity induces definitechanges in feeding, conversion and metabolic rates in P. homarus