Abstract: Acipenser sinensis has symbolic significance for ecological protection and restoration of Yangtze River. To explore the ecological conversion efficiency, feeding and growth patterns, we used the stomach contents of A. sinensis to determine the ecological conversion efficiency, and further measured feeding and growth patterns to calculate the gastric emptying model of A. sinensis. The results showed that the feeding rhythm of A. sinensis displayed a fluctuating decline. The gastric emptying rate could be expressed by a square root model y_0.5=2.8415-0.063t. The gastric emptying rate was R_t=0.063 g·(100 g·h)^-1. The average daily feed intake C_d=29.09±17.49 g·(100 g·d)^-1 was obtained according to the Eggers’ formula. The change of body weight over time could be calculated by the equation W_t=3.8873t+16.945 (R²=0.9897), and the equation of average daily growth was G_d=77.20 g·(100 g·d)^-1. Based on the known average daily growth and average daily food intake, the ecological conversion efficiency of A. sinensis was E_g=37.7% with a high level, and feeding was mainly converted to weight growth. These results can provide a reference for the efficient domestication and systematic protection of A. sinensis, and the evaluation of the energy flow of food web.

Key words: Acipenser sinensis, gastric evacuation rate, ecological conversion efficiency