The collector and pellet count method were validated in 8–11 daytests with three fish species.
FCRs were compared with those obtained by weighing feed.
The count method increased accuracy of the FCR, streamlined the procedure after the uneaten pellets were col-lected, and results were not affected by inclusion of fecal matter.
Mean FCR calculated by the count method (0.42 ± 0.05) was smaller than by the traditional weigh method (0.61 ± 0.19).
The collector used with a recirculating aquaculture system and the count method is a promising technique for accurate determination of FCR in aquaculture research.