Effects of varying dietary docosahexaenoic acid levels on growth,proximate composition and tissue fatty acid profile of juvenile silver pomfrets,Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen, 1788)

This study investigated the effects of varying dietary levels of decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on growth performance, proximate composition and whole body fatty acid profiles of juvenile silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus. Triplicate groups of fish (30.55 ± 0.08 g) were fed diets containing 5.2%, 9.31% and 13.38% DHA (% of total fatty acids) or 0.85%, 1.52% and 2.18% DHA on dry diet weight for diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Survival was not affected by dietary DHA levels. The growth performance and feed utilization parameters of fish fed diets 2 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed diet 1, although these parameters in diets 2 and 3 did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Whole body lipid and fatty acid profiles were influenced by dietary DHA levels. Significantly higher n‐3 fatty acids particularly DHA, DHA:EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios and n‐3:n‐6 ratios were observed in fish fed diets 2 and 3 compared to those fed diet 1. Better growth performance and higher whole body DHA:EPA (2.31, 2.29) ratios and n‐3:n‐6 ratios (2.17, 2.12) observed in fish fed diets 2 and 3, respectively, suggests that silver pomfret juveniles have a higher requirement for n‐3 fatty acids, notably DHA for optimum growth and survival.     

Effect of Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth and Body Composition of Spotted Halibut,Verasper variegatus

A 83‐d feeding experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of spotted halibut, Verasper variegatus (initial average weight of 93.0 ± 1.0 g). Nine diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (40, 45, and 50%), each with three lipid levels (8, 12% and 16%). Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish per tank in the indoor culture system. Results showed that the survival rate of fish was not significantly affected by protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake (FI) significantly decreased with the increasing dietary lipid levels (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency significantly increased while the feed conversion ration significantly decreased with increasing dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). Weight gain, SGR, FI, and feed efficiency of fish fed 50% protein and 8% lipid were significantly higher than that of the other groups. For each level of dietary lipid, the increase in dietary protein resulted in significant increases in whole‐body crude protein (CP) contents (P < 0.05); the increase in dietary lipid caused significant increases in whole‐body crude lipid content and gross energy at each protein level (P < 0.05). The muscle CP, lipid, and gross energy had the same tendency. The results of this study indicated that increasing dietary lipid levels did not result in a protein‐sparing effect. It could be recommended that the proper dietary protein and lipid levels of spotted halibut were 50 and 8%, respectively.     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios for silvery‐black porgy (Sparidentex hasta) juveniles

Four isonitrogenous diets containing different carbohydrate:lipid (CHO:L) ratios (0.3, 0.6, 1.1 and 1.8) were tested in triplicate groups (16 fish per replicate) of silvery‐black porgy juveniles for 8 weeks. Growth performance was not affected by different dietary CHO:L ratios (P > 0.05); however, the viscerosomatic index, the intraperitoneal fat, whole‐body lipid, energy and n‐3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids levels increased with decreasing dietary CHO:L ratios (P < 0.05). Fish fed with 1.8 CHO:L diet had the lowest apparent digestibility coefficients of protein and lipid, as well as the lowest plasma haemolytic and lysozyme activities (P < 0.05). Red blood cell counts and plasma glucose levels were higher in fish fed with 1.1 and 1.8 CHO:L ratio diets than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Plasma alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as the level of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity in the liver and plasma increased as dietary CHO:L ratios decreased (P < 0.05). The results of the current study indicated that the diets with CHO:L ratios between 0.6 and 1.1 are optimal for silvery‐black porgy, whereas higher ratios may result in hyperglycaemia and immune suppression, and lower CHO:L ratios may lead to oxidative stress and liver dysfunction.     

Effects of dietary macronutrient level and feeding frequency on growth and body composition of juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary macronutrient level and feeding frequency on the growth, feed utilization, and body composition of juvenile rockfish. Triplicate groups of fish (body weight of 4.1 g) were fed the experimental diets containing either high levels of carbohydrate (HC, 35%), lipid (HL, 13%), or protein (HP, 55%) at different feeding frequencies (twice daily, once daily, and once every 2 days). Weight gain was affected by feeding frequency but not by dietary composition. Weight gain of fish fed the diets once every 2 days was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of other groups. Daily feed intake and energy intake were affected by both dietary composition and feeding frequency. Daily feed intake of fish fed the HC diet was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of fish fed the HL and HP diets at the same feeding frequency. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were affected by both dietary composition and feeding frequency and decreased with increasing feeding frequency in the same dietary composition. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the HC diet were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of fish fed the HL diet at the same feeding frequency. Whole-body lipid content of fish fed the HL diet was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of fish fed the HC and HP diets at the same feeding frequency. These results indicate that an increase of dietary lipid level compared with dietary carbohydrate level may have the advantage of a protein-sparing effect at same feeding frequency, and a once-daily feeding regime is more effective than twice daily or one feeding every 2 days to improve growth performance of juvenile rockfish grown from 4 to 21 g.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid levels on growth performance,muscle fatty acid profile,hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance, muscle fatty acid profile, hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Oreochromis niloticus (initial body weight: 42.6 ± 0.4 g, mean ± standard deviation). Three replicated groups of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia were hand‐fed to satiation, twice a day, with the diets in which CLA oil, containing mainly the bioactive cis‐9, trans‐11 and trans‐10, cis‐12 isomers, was included at 0 (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%, respectively, at the expense of fish oil to maintain the constant lipid and energy levels. Growth performance and feed utilization showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). The dietary inclusion of CLA modified total percentages of the main groups of fatty acids. Increasing saturated fatty acid content and reduced mono‐unsaturated fatty acid contents in muscle were observed with increasing dietary CLA inclusion (P < 0.05). Total n‐3 fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids tended to decline with increasing dietary CLA levels (P < 0.05), but n‐6 fatty acids showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation resulted in the significant increase in the trans‐10, cis‐12 and cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA isomers in muscle (P < 0.05) and also significantly influenced several hepatic enzymatic activities, such as succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities (P < 0.05). Reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and the decline in malondialdehyde levels were observed in fish fed the CLA‐supplemented diets (P < 0.05), indicating that dietary CLA supplementation showed a powerful antioxidant effect for this fish species. Our study was the first report involved in the effect of dietary CLA inclusion on hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in fish, which could be used as indicators of nutritional and physiological status of the fish species.     

Dietary l‐lysine requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker,Myxocyprinus asiaticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to quantify the dietary l ‐lysine requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker with an initial weight of 1.81 ± 0.04 g reared in indoor flow‐through and aerated tanks. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic practical diets were formulated to contain graded levels of lysine (1.23%, 1.80%, 2.39%, 2.98%, 3.56% and 4.18% dry matter) at 0.6% increments from dietary ingredients and crystalline l ‐lysine. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish each and was fed to apparent satiation by hand three times a day (09:00, 13:00 and 17:00 hours) for 8 weeks. There were significant differences in growth performance and feed utilization among the treatments. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio (PER) significantly increased with increasing lysine levels up to 2.39% of diet (P < 0.05) and remained nearly the same thereafter (P > 0.05). Feed efficiency was the poorest for fish fed the lowest lysine diet (P < 0.05) and showed no significant differences when dietary lysine level increased from 2.39% to 4.18%. The N retention (% N intake) significantly increased with dietary lysine level but did not attain a plateau (P < 0.05). Survival could not be related to dietary treatments. Whole body protein increased (P < 0.05) and whole body lipid decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary lysine level. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index were significantly affected by dietary lysine levels, however, viscersomatic index, whole body moisture and ash did not differ significantly among dietary treatments. Broken‐line analysis on the basis of WG and PER showed that dietary lysine requirements of juvenile Chinese sucker were 2.43% and 2.40% dry diet (5.52% and 5.45% dietary protein) respectively. Based on the ideal protein approach and the A/E ratios determined from muscle amino acid profile an estimation of the EAA requirements of Chinese sucker juveniles were calculated.     

Effects of total replacement of fish oil by pork lard or rapeseed oil and recovery by a fish oil finishing diet on growth,health and fish quality of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

An 84‐day growth trial was designed to investigate effects of dietary replacements fish oil with pork lard (PL) or rapeseed oil (RO) on growth and quality of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III) (initial body weight: 158.2 ± 0.2 g), and responses of the fish refed fish oil (FO) diet. Three isonitrogenous (crude protein: 30%) and isolipid (crude lipid: 10%) diets were formulated containing 7.73% FO, PL or RO. Five experimental treatments including FO group (FO), PL group (PL), RO group (RO), group fed PL for 42 days and refed FO for 42 days (PL+rFO), RO and refed FO group (RO+rFO) was tested. At the end of first 42 days, the fish fed PL and RO had higher mortality than that of the control (P > 0.05). At the end of whole experiment, fish fed PL and RO showed higher plasma cortisol than FO fish (P < 0.05). RO+rFO fish showed higher lysozyme activity than RO fish (P < 0.05). Fish growth and feed utilization, composition of whole body and muscle, free amino acids, texture, off‐flavour substances or sensory attributes were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). PL and RO diet decreased muscle EPA, DHA and n‐3/n‐6 ratio (P < 0.05), while FO‐refeeding had recovery effect. It can be concluded that the replacement of FO by PL and RO does not affect the growth, feed utilization or fish tasting quality in gibel carp. Fish muscle fatty acids modified by dietary PL and RO can be recovered by refeeding with FO diet.     

Effects of dietary lipid levels on growth performance,whole body composition and fatty acid composition of juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

We evaluated the effects of dietary lipid levels on the growth, whole body composition and fatty acid composition of juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Triplicate groups of 120 juvenile Carassius auratus gibelio (average weight: 2.05 g) were fed four isonitrogenic diets formulated with lipid levels of 1.4% (low), 6.1% (control), 11.6% (medium) and 21.1% (high) for 60 days. Weight gain in the 11.6% lipid group was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio decreased and protein efficiency ratio increased (P > 0.05) as dietary lipid levels increased. N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were not detected in faeces. The whole body lipid contents of 11.6% and 21.1% lipid level groups were significantly higher than that of the 1.4% and 6.1% lipid level groups (P < 0.05). The content of whole body n‐3 PUFA in the 21.1% lipid level group enhanced significantly (P < 0.05). The whole body contents of eicosapntemacnioc acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the 21.1% lipid level group were the highest (P < 0.05). These results indicated that high dietary lipid levels (21.1%) inhibit weight gain and promoted fat and n‐3 PUFA deposition in juvenile Carassius auratus gibelio, which led to liver damage. A dietary lipid level of 11.6% was determined to be optimal for growth performance of juvenile Carassius auratus gibelio.     

Effect of spirulina Spirulina platensis as a complementary ingredient to reduce dietary fish meal on the growth performance,whole‐body composition,fatty acid and amino acid profiles,and pigmentation of Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) juveniles

Spirulina has been highlighted as a valuable complementary ingredient in aquafeeds due to its high protein and vitamin content, in addition to other nutritional benefits. To evaluate the effect of dietary spirulina inclusion in fish meal sparing (FMS) on juvenile Caspian brown trout as a slow‐growth fish, a complete randomized experimental design was developed with five treatments: 0% (control), 2% FMS (13.2 g/kg spirulina in diet), 4% FMS (26.4 g/kg spirulina in diet), 6% FMS (39.6 g/kg spirulina in diet) and 8% FMS (52.8 g/kg spirulina in diet). Six hundred juveniles (11.0 ± 1.0 g) were assigned to 15 experimental tanks. Although this fish is sensitive to diet composition, fish fed the 6% FMS and 8% FMS diets had a significantly higher weight gain rate (239.51% and 231.27%) and specific growth rate (1.74% bw per day and 1.71% bw per day) compared with those fed the control diet. Furthermore, 6% FMS and 8% FMS treatments had statistically higher protein efficiency (0.76 and 0.78), lipid efficiency (1.89 and 1.94) and statistically lower feed conversion ratio (2.47 and 2.41) compared with other treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). In terms of whole‐body composition, the higher amount of protein and lower content of lipid were observed in fish fed the 8% FMS diets as compared to control. Although no significant differences in ash and moisture content were observed, the highest protein deposition (157.3 g/kg) and the lowest lipid content (77 g/kg) in whole body were reported in fish fed 8% FMS diet. Based on the fillet fatty acid outcome, fish fed the 8% FMS diet had significantly higher saturated fatty acids (SFAs), C20:3n‐6, C18:3n‐3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and total n‐3 fatty acids as compared to those fed the control diet (p < 0.05). Accordingly, increasing dietary spirulina content significantly enhanced the amount of these fatty acids in fish fillet. As regards of whole‐body amino acid profile, arginine and lysine in fish fed 6% FMS and 8% FMS diets were higher and lower than in those fed the control diet, respectively (p < 0.05). Fillet and skin colour parameters, such as luminosity, redness and yellowness, significantly increased with spirulina supplementation with the 8% FMS treatment displaying higher values than the control. In summary, according to our results, 8% FMS (52.8 g/kg spirulina in diet) treatment improved juvenile Caspian brown trout growth, carcass composition and pigmentation.     

Performance, carcass composition and nutrient utilization of surubim Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz) fed diets with varying carbohydrate and lipid levels

Five isonitrogenous diets formulated to contain 470 g kg^?1 of crude protein, five different levels of crude lipids (190, 210, 230, 250 and 270 g kg^?1), five different levels of carbohydrates (178, 155, 158, 125 and 110 g kg^?1) and gross energy (21.2, 21.6, 22.4, 22.8 and 23.2 MJ kg^?1) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lipid levels on performance and carcass composition of the surubim, Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz). Triplicate groups of 11 fish with an average individual body weight of 5.1 ± 0.2 g were randomly assigned to 15 net cages and fed each test diet twice a day to apparent satiation for 64 days. At the end of the trial there were no significant differences in feed consumption or fish performance. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the lipid content of fish carcass and liver. On the contrary, visceral lipid increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in dietary lipid level. Protein and energy retention efficiencies were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary lipid and carbohydrate levels. The results of this trial suggest that increasing dietary lipid levels from 190 to 270 g kg^?1 did not improve growth performance or protein sparing and caused an undesirable increase in the visceral lipid content of surubim fingerlings.     

Dietary protein:lipid ratio changes growth,digestive enzyme activity,metabolic profile and haematological parameters in hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum × Leiarius marmoratus)

Studies investigating improved protein:lipid ratios based on their effects on growth, nutrient utilization, digestive enzyme activities, blood metabolites and erythogram in tropical carnivorous fish are very scarce. This study evaluated the effect of different protein:lipid ratios on these parameters in the hybrid surubim Pseudoplatystoma corruscans × Leiarius marmoratus. Juvenile fish (8.90 ± 0.94 g initial weight) were fed 3% of total biomass for 60 days using four isoenergetic experimental diets with different protein:lipid ratios (9.00, 4.60, 3.54 and 1.78). Higher growth performance parameters were observed at higher protein:lipid ratios. The activities of intestine total alkaline protease, trypsin and lipase (U/mg protein) were not affected by dietary treatments. Chymotrypsin (U/mg protein) was higher in the 4.60 protein:lipid ratio group. Amylase (U/mg protein) was higher in intermediate groups. Blood glucose, total plasma protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and free amino acids decreased as the protein:lipid ratio decreased. Haematocrit was higher at the 9.00 and 4.60 protein:lipid ratios. Hybrid surubim showed metabolic adaptation to the different protein:lipid ratios tested. These results suggest that the 4.60 protein:lipid ratio showed the best protein‐sparing effect of lipids.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels and protein to energy ratios on growth performance and feed utilization of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Babylonia areolata</Emphasis>)

A 120-day feeding trial was designed to determine the effects of different dietary protein and lipid levels and protein to energy ratio (P:E) on growth performance and feed utilization of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, cultured under a flow-through seawater system. Six diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (18, 28, and 36%) and two lipid levels (10 and 15%) in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three replicates to provide six different dietary P:E ratios (50.17, 49.09, 68.50, 65.85, 88.66, and 85.36 mg protein/kcal). Each replicate was stocked with 50 snails (0.12 + 0.01 g, initial weight) and fed to satiation once daily. The results showed that survival was above 96% at the end of the feeding trial in all groups and was not affected by either dietary protein level or dietary lipid level. The highest significant (P < 0.05) growth and feed utilization were observed for juveniles fed diet with a P:E ratio of 88.66 kcal g⁻¹ diet. With respect to dietary protein and lipid levels, the highest (P < 0.05) values for growth and feed efficiency were observed for snails fed a diet containing 36% protein level and the same trend was observed for snails fed a diet with 10% lipid level. This results indicated that the diet containing 36% protein and 10% lipid level with a dietary P:E ratio of 88.66 mg protein/kcal would be suitable for optimum growth and feed utilization of B. areolata juveniles.     

Effect of Dietary Gamma‐irradiated and Fermented Soybean Meal on the Growth Performance,Body Composition,and Digestive Enzymes Activity of Caspian Brown Trout,Salmo trutta caspius,Juvenile

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of gamma‐irradiated soybean meal (SBM) as a dietary ingredient on the performance, body composition, and digestive enzyme activity of Caspian brown trout, Salmo trutta caspius, juveniles. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, in which fish meal was replaced by untreated (untreated SBM), gamma‐ray irradiated at 15 (15ISBM) and 30 (30ISBM) kGy, fermented (FSBM), fermented 15 KGy irradiated soybean meal (FISBM), respectively. Juvenile fish (2.1 ± 0.3 g) were fed with the test diets for 6 wk. Final body weight was significantly affected by dietary SBM treatment with highest values in fish fed FISBM and FSBM (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in hepatosomatic and visceral indexes, condition factor, and survival among experimental groups (P > 0.05). The carcass proximate composition of lipid and protein in Caspian brown trout in FSBM and FISBM groups was higher than that of other groups. Levels of most whole‐body amino acids were not significantly different among Caspian brown trout fed the five diets. Results of this experiment showed that replacing SBM with FSBM and FISBM in the diet significantly increased the activities of proteolytic enzymes activities (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in both amylase and lipase activities among dietary treatments. Results of this study indicated that the level of gamma radiation used did not work but fermentation of SBM did increase some growth parameters of Caspian brown trout.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L) reared under optimum salinity and temperature conditions

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of juvenile turbot was determined at optimum salinity and temperature conditions of 17 g L^?1 and 19.2 °C, respectively, by using 3 × 2 (protein levels: 550, 600 and 650 g kg^?1; lipid levels: 69 and 168 g kg^?1) factorial design with three replications of each. Fish were hand‐fed to satiety twice daily throughout the feeding trial. Weight gain and specific growth rate of fish were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increased dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Daily feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by both dietary protein and lipid levels. Feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Moisture content of whole body was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Crude lipid content of whole body was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Significantly higher 20:5n?3, 22:6n?3 and n?3 highly unsaturated fatty acids were observed in turbot fed the low lipid diet than fish fed the high lipid diet in all protein levels, but significantly lower 18:2n?6 was observed in fish fed the former compared with the latter. In considering results of growth, specific growth rate and efficiency of feed, optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile turbot seemed to be 550 and 168 g kg^?1 of the diet, respectively, under optimum salinity and temperature conditions.     

Effect of dietary canthaxanthin on the growth and lipid composition of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)

A 24‐week feeding trial was conducted to study the possible effect of dietary canthaxanthin on red porgy growth and lipid composition. Two triplicate groups were established to test two experimental diets: (1) Control group fed a diet with no added carotenoids, and (2) canthaxanthin group (CTX100) fed a diet with 100 mg of synthetic canthaxanthin per kilogram of diet (CTX). Final and eviscerated weight were increased (P < 0.05) in the CTX100 treatment. The rest of growth performance parameters were not affected by the CTX diet. Whole‐fish total lipid content was decreased (P < 0.05) in CTX100 fish. In the liver, total lipids were not affected; however, saturated fatty acids in CTX100 treatment were significantly lower together with a higher n‐3 PUFA and a lower n‐6 PUFA, therefore increasing the n‐3/n‐6 ratio. Liver histology of CTX100 fish revealed decreased lipid vacuolization thus, significantly lowering hepatocyte area. In the muscle, total lipids were not affected. Similar to the liver, an increase of n‐3 PUFA and decrease n‐6 PUFA, led to a significant increase of the n‐3/n‐6 ratio. Concerning plasma, only total cholesterol (TC) was significantly affected by the CTX diet. Dietary canthaxanthin has an effect on red porgy lipid composition.     

Effects of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on the Survival, Growth, and Fatty Acid Composition of South American Catfish, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Surubim, Juveniles

The present study examines the effect of four semi‐purified diets (casein–gelatin based) where the source of fatty acids was free (esterified) oleic acid and linoleic acid (LA) (LOA diet), linseed and olive oil (predominantly LA and linolenic acid) (LO diet), cod liver oil (rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids) (CLO diet), and soybean lecithin (phospholipids; mostly LA) (LE diet) on the growth of juvenile South American catfish (surubim, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Pimelodidae) (0.98 ± 0.04 g individual weight). Fish were fed at a restricted–readjusted feeding rate for 8 wk. At the end of the experiment, LE‐diet‐fed fish grew significantly larger than those of the other three groups (P < 0.05). Considerable cannibalism was observed in all the treatments. It is suggested that the quantitative growth performance may possibly change under other conditions, with less or no cannibalism. Survival did not differ significantly among the fish fed four different diets. Muscle and liver lipid contents did not vary among dietary treatments (P > 0.05), but whole‐body lipid concentrations were affected by dietary treatments. Fish fed LE diet contained significantly lower lipid level than those fed three other diets (P < 0.05). Muscle and liver fatty acid profiles reflected dietary fatty acid composition. Arachidonic acid level was significantly higher in muscle and liver of fish fed LOA and LE diets than in those fed LO and CLO diets. The results suggest that the efficiency of elongation and desaturation of 18C fatty acids depends on the dietary lipid source, and South American catfish has considerable capacity to transform linoleate to arachidonate.     

Effects of dietary fat levels on growth, feed efficiency and biochemical compositions of Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis

A feeding experiment was conducted for 10 weeks with Eurasian perchPerca fluviatilis juveniles (33.1–35.9ginitial body weight) using three dietary fat levels (11.7, 15 and 19.3%). Theresults showed that increasing dietary fat content increased growth, feedefficiency and protein utilization of perch (P < 0.05) but did not affectmortality. Lipid analysis showed that the composition of some perch tissueswerealso significantly affected by increasing dietary fat content, with an increaseof lipid deposition in the viscera (from 64.9% in fish fed 11.7 % fat to 78.8%in fish fed 19.3% fat) and liver (from 12.4 to 23.8%) (P < 0.05), while themuscle composition was not affected by the dietary treament. Highdocosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) and high docosahexaenoicacid/eicosapentoenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) ratios were found in the liver andmuscle lipids as compared to the dietary fatty acid compositions, suggestingthat Eurasian perch might possess a high capability of converting the longchainhighly unsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA from its dietary precursors.     

Dietary Oil Sources on the Innate Immunity and Resistance of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,to Streptococcus agalactiae Challenge

The effect of different dietary oil sources on the innate immunity and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to Streptococcus agalactiae infection were evaluated. Fish were fed with diets containing different lipid sources (soybean oil [SO], corn oil, linseed oil [LO], fish oil [FO], and olive oil [OO]). Fish fed SO presented the highest (P < 0.05) hematocrit and serum protein. LO and FO diets increased (P < 0.05) the erythrocyte resistance to osmotic lysis in comparison with other treatments. Fish fed OO showed the highest (P < 0.05) iron‐binding capacity and the lowest serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities (P < 0.05). No difference (P > 0.05) was found between diets in alternative complement activity. Fish fed the SO diet had the highest (P < 0.05) survival rate against S. agalactiae challenge. In conclusion, diets with LO oil and FO, rich in ω‐3 fatty acids, and OO, rich in ω‐9 fatty acids, have an immunomodulatory effect in Nile tilapia juveniles. The use of SO in the Nile tilapia diet improved immune function and resistance against S. agalactiae.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance,body composition,apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum L

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets containing graded levels of starch (1.3%, 6.5%, 12.5%, 18.4%, 24.2% and 30.4%) were fed to juvenile cobia. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary starch up to 18.4% (P<0.05), and thereafter SGR declined but FER and PER remained nearly the same. Apparent digestibility coefficient of starch reduced significantly when dietary starch up to 30.4%. Fish fed the diets with starch from 18.4% to 30.4% showed higher amylase activities in intestinal tract than those fed diets containing starch 1.3% and 6.5% (P<0.05). Significantly higher whole‐body lipid contents were observed in fish fed the diets containing higher starch. Whole‐body moisture content was inversely correlated with whole‐body lipid content, while protein and ash showed no significant differences. Plasma glucose, hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen and liver lipid increased with an increasing dietary starch. Based on SGR and FER, the appropriate dietary starch supplementations of juvenile cobia were estimated to be 21.1% and 18.0 % of diet respectively.     

Dietary threonine requirement of juvenile large yellow croaker,Larmichthys crocea

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary threonine requirement of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larmichthys crocea). Six diets were formulated containing 45% crude protein with six graded levels of threonine (0.71–2.46% in about 0.35% increment). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 juvenile fish (initial body weight 6.00 ± 0.10 g). Fish were fed twice daily (05:00 and 16:30) to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The result indicated that significant difference was observed in the weight gain among all treatments. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and nitrogen retention (NR) increased with increasing levels of threonine up to 1.75% diet (P < 0.05), and thereafter, declined. No significant differences in body dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid or ash content were found among dietary treatments. Theronine contents of fish muscle were significantly affected by dietary threonine levels (P < 0.05). Fish fed the diet with 0.71% threonine showed the lowest threonine content (2.94%) in fish muscle, while fish fed the diet with 1.75% threonine had the highest value (3.16%). Other essential amino acid contents of muscle were not significantly different among the dietary treatments. On the basis of SGR, FE or NR, the optimum dietary threonine requirements of juvenile L. crocea were estimated to be 1.86% of diet (4.13% of dietary protein), 1.90% of diet (4.22% of dietary protein) and 2.06% of diet (4.58% of dietary protein), respectively, using second‐order polynomial regression analysis.