Zoo database

Bottlenose dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Natural diet Bottlenose dolphin

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.

Fish
Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Bottlenose dolphin

Feed quantity per day

4-6%

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 = 8,663 g fish products
0.01 x 8.75 kg = 88 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish
Supplements

In moderation

Cephalopods

Not recommended

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

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).