Zoo database

Bottlenose dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Natural diet Bottlenose dolphin

Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Bottlenose dolphins are piscivorous carnivores that consume a wide variety of aquatic animals. Fish, crustaceans and cephalopods are mainly consumed. Since dolphins migrate long distances, the geographical location can also influence the diet based on the availability of prey.

Feeding advice Bottlenose dolphin

Feed quantity per day

4-6% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 175 kg and eats 5% of its body weight, it will get

175 x 0.05 = 8.75 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 8.75 kg = 8662.5 g fish products
0.01 x 8.75 kg = 87.5 g supplements

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Cephalopods

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
Feed different species of fish (e.g., mackerel, smelt and herring).
The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
Stimulate foraging behaviour by feeding with frozen and unfrozen fish (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Hemochromatosis
Gastro-intestinal parasites
Stomach ulcers
Skin diseases
Urogenital disorders
Respiratory disorders

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Fish Eater Liquid

DK Fish Eater Liquid

Sardines IQF - 10 kg doos

Makreel B-keuze - ca. 20 kg doos

Michiel Derks

Director Petfood & Zoos

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Our assortment

DK Fish Eater Liquid

DK Fish Eater Liquid

Sardines IQF - 10 kg doos

Makreel B-keuze - ca. 20 kg doos

Michiel Derks

Director Petfood & Zoos