Evaluation of optimum dietary protein-to-energy ratio in juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum dietary protein to energy (P/E) ratio in juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Eight experimental diets were formulated with two energy levels and four protein levels at each energy level. Two energy levels of 12.5 and 16.7 kJ g^?1 diets were included at crude protein (CP) levels of 25%, 30%, 35% and 45% with 12.5 kJ g^?1, and CP levels of 35%, 45%, 50% and 60% with 16.7 kJ g^?1. After 1 week of the conditioning period, fish initially averaging 8.1±0.08 g (mean±SD) were randomly distributed into the aquarium as groups of 15 fish. Each diet was fed on a dry‐matter basis to fish in three randomly selected aquariums at a rate of 3–5% of total wet body weight per day for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of the feeding trial, weight gain (WG), feed efficiency ratio and specific growth rate of fish fed 45% CP with 16.7 kJ g^?1 energy diet were significantly higher than those from the other dietary treatments (P<0.05). WG of fish fed 12.5 kJ g^?1 energy diets increased with the increase of dietary protein levels. However, WG of fish fed 16.7 kJ g^?1 energy diets increased with the increase of dietary protein levels up to 45% CP and then decreased when fish fed 50% and 60% CP diets. Both dietary protein and energy affected protein retention efficiency and energy retention efficiency. Haemoglobin (Hb) of fish fed 35% and 45% CP diets with 12.5 kJ g^?1 energy were significantly high and not different from Hb of fish fed 45% and 50% CP diets with 16.7 kJ g^?1 energy. Haematocrit of fish fed 45% CP diet with 16.7 kJ g^?1 energy was significantly higher than those from fish fed 25% and 30% CP diets with 12.5 kJ g^?1 energy (P< 0.05). Based on the results of this experiment, we concluded that the optimum dietary P/E ratio was 27.5 mg protein kJ^?1 with diet containing 45% CP and 16.7 kJ g^?1 energy in juvenile olive flounder.     

Dietary tryptophan requirement of fingerling Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary tryptophan concentration on weight gain and feed efficiencies of fingerling Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala. Six isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.90 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets containing casein, gelatin and l ‐crystalline amino acids with graded levels of l ‐tryptophan (0.06, 0.16, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46 and 0.56 g 100 g^?1 dry diet) were formulated. Fish (4.25±0.30 cm, 0.62±0.02 g) were randomly stocked in triplicate groups in 70 L (water volume 55 L) flow‐through (1–1.5 L min^?1) indoor circular tanks and fed experimental diets at 5% of their body weight/day in two feedings at 08:00 and 16:00 hours. Maximum live weight gain (277%), lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.50) and highest protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.66) were measured at 0.36% dietary tryptophan. The relationship between dietary tryptophan levels and weight gain, FCR and PER data were described using second‐degree polynomial regression analysis indicating the tryptophan requirement at 0.42, 0.39 and 0.38 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet respectively. Whole body moisture decreased with increasing tryptophan up to 0.36%. Significantly (P<0.05) higher protein content was evident in fish fed diet containing 0.36% tryptophan. Body fat increased significantly (P<0.05) in fish fed with different tryptophan concentrations except those fed 0.36% tryptophan where a significantly lower fat content was noted. Significantly (P<0.05) higher ash content was reported at 0.06% and 0.16% tryptophan levels. Survival was 100% in fish fed all the diets except those fed 0.06% tryptophan. Based on the results, diets for fingerling C. mrigala should contain tryptophan at 0.38 g 100 g^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 0.95 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Single or combined effects of fructo‐ and mannan oligosaccharide supplements and Bacillus clausii on the growth,feed utilization,body composition,digestive enzyme activity,innate immune response and lipid metabolism of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

In this study, we examined the effects of the following eight experimental diets, which varied in fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and Bacillus clausii concentrations, on the Japanese flounder: control diet (no FOS, MOS and B. clausii), diet F (5 g kg⁻¹ FOS), diet M (5 g kg⁻¹ MOS), diet FM (2.5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 2.5 g kg⁻¹ MOS), diet B (10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii), diet FB (5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii), diet MB (5 g kg⁻¹ MOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii) and diet FMB (2.5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 2.5 g kg⁻¹ MOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii). Japanese flounder, initially weighing an average of 21 g, were distributed into 24 net cages at a stocking density of 20 fish per cage. Each diet was hand‐fed to three groups of fish twice daily for 56 days. The weight gain rate (WGR) in fish fed diets B, MB and FMB were significantly higher than in fish fed the control diet, where the fish fed diet FMB had the highest WGR. Fish fed any of the diets, except diets F and B, exhibited better feed conversion ratio than those fed the control diet. Diets MB and FMB significantly elevated intestinal protease activity compared with the control diet, but only the diet FMB promoted amylase activity. Feeding diets FB and FMB increased body protein deposition; additionally, feeding diets B, MB and FMB significantly reduced body lipid deposition. Lysozyme (LSZ) activity was significantly higher in fish fed diets B, FB, MB and FMB than in fish fed the control diet. All diets, except diet M, decreased triglyceride (TG) levels compared to the control diet. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in fish fed diets F, FB and FMB were significantly lower than in fish fed the control diet. Without exception, no diets affected feeding rate, condition factor, body moisture, ash contents, phagocytic activity of leucocytes or cholesterol or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that diets supplemented with FOS, MOS and B. clausii improved growth performance and health benefits of the Japanese flounder more than other diets or the control diet.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate level on growth and body composition of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus

A growth trial was conducted to feed juvenile tilapia (initial weight, 9.1±0.1 g), Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus, isonitrogenous diets for 8 weeks. Six diets were formulated containing 29% crude protein from casein and gelatin, 10% crude fat from soybean oil and refined soybean lecithin and varying levels of corn starch ranging from 6% to 46% at increments of 8%, with corresponding energy to protein (E/P) ratios of 35.6, 37.9, 40.2, 42.5, 44.8 and 47.1 kJ g^?1. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed diets with starch ≥22% (or E/P ratio ≥40.2 kJ g^?1) than in fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch (or E/P ratio of 35.6 or 37.9 kJ g^?1). No further improvement was measured when dietary starch content increased beyond 22%. Body protein retention showed the same general pattern as WG, and was highest in fish fed the 22% starch diet. Body composition was significantly affected by dietary starch level. Fish fed diets with starch ≥30% had significantly higher lipid content than fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch. Ash content was negatively correlated with starch inclusion level, but moisture and protein contents did not show discernible trends among treatments. Results indicate that hybrid tilapia can utilize 46% dietary starch without growth retardation, while 22% starch in feed for juvenile tilapia containing 29% protein and 10% lipid, or an E/P ratio of 37.9 kJ g^?1 is optimal.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios on growth performance,body composition,nutrient utilization and hepatic enzymes activities of herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Six isonitrogenous (390 g kg^?1) and isoenergetic (16.2 kJ g^?1) diets with varying carbohydrate : lipid (CHO : L) ratios (202.5–1.74), were fed to triplicate groups of 25 fish in indoor recirculation system. Over 8‐week‐growth trial, best weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein production value (P < 0.05) were observed in fish‐fed diets with CHO : L ratio of 7.5. Fish fed either the lowest (1.7) or highest (202.5) CHO : L ratio tended to produce lower (P < 0.05) growth and feed conversion efficiencies. The values of viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio increased as dietary CHO : L ratios decreased. There were no significant differences in whole body and liver crude protein among dietary treatments. Whole body and liver lipid increased as CHO : L ratios decreased. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels increased linearly as dietary CHO : L ratios decreased. Activities of glucokinase and pyruvate kinase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary carbohydrate; however, activities of lipase (LPS) and alkaline phosphatase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary lipid. Based on a second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG against dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels, 275 g kg^?1 of carbohydrate and 59 g kg^?1 of lipid, corresponding to a CHO : L ratio of 4.7, in a diet holding 390 g kg^?1 of crude protein and 16.3 kJ g^?1 of gross energy, proved to be optimal for grass carp. These results indicated that utilization of dietary lipid and carbohydrate was moderate in grass carp, but the fish were a little more capable of utilizing lipid compared with carbohydrate.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources in the diet for Pangasius nasutus (Bleeker, 1863) juveniles on growth performance,feed efficiency,body indices and muscle and liver fatty acid compositions

Four isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1 crude protein), isoenergetic (21 kJ g^?1) experimental diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SBO), crude palm oil (CPO) and linseed oil (LO), respectively, as the lipid sources, added at 120 g kg^?1 of crude lipid each. The diets were fed by hand to triplicate groups of Pangasius nasutus (Bleeker, 1863) juveniles (mean weight 10.66 ± 0.04 g), to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. Fish survival rate was 100% among all the treatments. Growth performance (DGR) was similar among fish fed the SBO, CPO and LO diets, but was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the CPO compared to fish fed the control (FO) diet. Fish fed SBO and CPO diets also recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher intraperitoneal fat compared to fish fed the control, whereas fish fed the LO diet did not significantly differ from the other treatments. Muscle and liver fatty acid profile of fish from all the treatments generally mirrored the composition of the diets fed and the major fatty acids recorded were 18:3n‐3 and 18:2n‐6 in the tissues of fish fed the LO and SBO treatments, respectively. Results of this study suggests that P. nasutus fed diets containing vegetable oils (especially CPO and SBO) produce better growth performance, without compromising fish survival and feed efficiency compared with those fed a diet containing only FO.     

Dietary calcium requirements of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus, reared in fresh water

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the dietary calcium (Ca) requirement for juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus reared in nature water. Purified diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet providing of 0.6, 1.6, 2.6, 3.7, 4.7, 5.5, 7.5 and 10.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, were fed to tilapia (mean initial weight: 0.52 ± 0.01 g, n = 3) for 8 weeks. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish in a closed, recirculating fresh water rearing system. The rearing water contained 27.1–33.3 mg L⁻¹ Ca. The tilapia fed the diets supplemented with ≥3.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ had significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain, when compared with fish fed the diet with ≤1.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Fish fed the unsupplemented control showed significantly lower weight gain when compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Bone Ca concentration was highest in fish fed the diets with ≥4.7 g Ca kg⁻¹, intermediate in fish fed the diet with 2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹ and lowest in fish fed the control diet. Scale Ca concentration was higher in fish fed the diets with ≥3.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ than in fish fed the diets with ≤2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was 36% increased in fish fed the diets with ≥2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹ than fish fed the diets with <1.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Analysis by broken‐line regression of weight gain, bone and scale Ca concentrations indicated that the adequate dietary Ca concentration for tilapia in water containing 27.1–33.3 mg Ca L⁻¹ was 3.5, 4.3 and 4.2 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, supplied as Ca‐lactate.     

Partial and total replacement of fishmeal with poultry by-product meal in diets for gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch

Triplicate groups of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch (initial body weight: 4.89 g) were fed for 8 weeks at 24.8–30.8°C with nine isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets. The control diet (F1) used white fishmeal (FM) as the sole protein source. In the other eight diets (F2–F9), 40.5–100% of FM protein was substituted by poultry by‐product meal (PBM) at 8.5% increments. The specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, protein retention efficiency and energy retention rate for fish fed PBM diets (F2–F9) were all higher, but not always significantly, than those for fish fed F1. All apparent digestibility coefficients for fish fed PBM diets were lower than those for fish fed F1. Fish fed F1 had a significantly higher hepatosomatic index value than fish fed PBM diets (P<0.05). No significant (P>0.05) effect of diet was found in whole‐body moisture and fat content. Whole‐body protein and energy content for fish fed PBM diets were slightly higher than that for fish fed F1. The optimal replacement level of FM by PBM was estimated by second‐order polynomial regression to be 66.5% in protein.     

Partial substitution of fish meal with soybean and cottonseed meals in diets for African bonytongue,Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829) fingerlings: effects on growth,feed efficiency and body composition

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the suitability of soybean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM) as a partial substitute for the dietary protein supplied by fish meal for H. niloticus fingerlings. Fish were fed with four isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (18.8 kJ g^?1 GE) diets in which fish meal protein was gradually replaced by plant protein from a mixture of SBM and CSM (0%, 25%, 50% and 75% in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively). Triplicate groups of fingerlings H. niloticus (mean weight of 5 g) were handfed twice daily to apparent satiation for 60 days inside net hapas. Growth performances (SGR varied from 3.09% to 3.16% day^?1) of fingerlings fed diets containing 0%, 25% and 50% plant protein were not significantly different (P>0.05). At 75% fish meal substitution, growth and feed utilization efficiency indicators were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The carcass composition were also significantly (P<0.05) affected by the replacement level of fish meal, except dry matter and ash. Results suggest that the dietary fish meal protein could efficiently be substituted by a mixture of soybean and cottonseed meals up to 50%, without adverse effects on maximal growth in practical diets for H. niloticus fingerlings.     

Influence of different sources and levels of dietary protein and lipid on the growth,feed efficiency,muscle composition and fatty acid profile of Snakehead Channa striatus (Bloch, 1793) fingerling

Nine isoenergetic (18.5 kJ g⁻¹) diets were formulated, in a 3 × 3 factorial design, by varying three levels of dietary protein (350, 400 and 450 g kg⁻¹) at each of three levels of dietary lipid (65, 90 and 115 g kg⁻¹) accordingly. Each diet was hand fed two times daily for 8 weeks to triplicate homogenous groups of eight fish (average weight 3.34 ± 0.02 g) per tank connected to a recirculation system. Results showed that the feed efficiency and growth performance significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing protein level at the two lower lipid levels (65 and 90 g kg⁻¹), respectively, as indicated by indices such as %weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, feed conversion ratio and feed intake, but did not at the highest lipid level (115 g kg⁻¹). The muscle polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content declined with increasing dietary protein level at the lipid levels producing the highest growth, suggesting that the utilization of PUFA influences growth. Whereas the muscle monounsaturated fatty acids level was generally lower than the dietary levels in all the treatments tested, indicating preferential catabolism for energy, the muscle saturated fatty acids level was comparatively higher than in the diets, indicating selective deposition. Docosa hexaenoic acid (22:6n3, DHA), which was very low in the diet and in the initial fish, was higher in the muscle of some of the treatments, indicating the ability of Channa striatus to desaturate and elongate short‐chain PUFA to long‐chain HUFA, due to the availability of dietary 18:3n3 and 20:5n3 (the precursors for DHA biosynthesis). It could be concluded, based on the results of this trial, that a diet formulated to contain 65 g kg⁻¹ lipid and 450 g kg⁻¹ protein, with a gross energy of 18.5 kJ g⁻¹ and a dietary n3/n6 PUFA ratio of about 0.1, is sufficient to promote good feed efficiency and growth performance in C. striatus fingerling.     

Potential of local agricultural by-products for the rearing of African catfish Clarias gariepinus in Rwanda: effects on growth, feed utilization and body composition

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal with local by‐products on Clarias gariepinus growth performance, feed utilization and body composition. A control diet contained 50% of fish meal. In four other diets, fish meal was partially replaced by vegetable and animal protein blend composed of sunflower oil cake, soybean oil cake, groundnut oil cake, bean meal, chicken viscera and blood meal. The study was conducted in a recirculating water system at a mean temperature of 23.6°C. The five test diets were compared with a commercial diet developed for African catfish. All diets were balanced to be equal in gross energy (19 kJ g⁻¹) and crude protein (40%). The experimental groups were fed in triplicate for 8 weeks, increasing fish weight from about 6.2 g at start to 52.3 g in the end. Best specific growth rate (SGR=3.4), feed efficiency (FE=1.3) and protein efficiency ratio (PER=3) were obtained with the control diet (diet 50% fish meal), although there were no significant differences between the group of fish fed the control diet and those fed diets based on groundnut oil cake or bean meal, whereas SGR (2.17), FE (0.85) and PER (1.95) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in fish fed diet containing sunflower oil cake. No significant differences (P<0.05) were found in fish fed commercial diet and diets containing bean meal or groundnut oil cake. Groundnut oil cake or bean meal can thus replace at least 50% of fish meal in the diet of Clarias fingerlings without amino acid supplementation. Because of its economic importance and its potential in animal nutrition sunflower oil cake is still an interesting feed ingredient, but its efficiency should be improved by various processing techniques. African catfish can utilize efficiently a diet with low percentage of animal protein without growth reduction.     

Effects of stocking density on growth, yield and profitability of farming Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., fed Azolla diet, in earthen ponds

Two consecutive experiments were conducted to study the effects of stocking density on growth, food utilization, production and farming profitability of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings (initial mean weight: 16.2 ± 0.2 g) fed Azolla, as a main component in diet. In experiment 1, fish were hand‐fed twice daily with three isonitrogenous (28.5% crude protein) and isocaloric (14.5 kJ g⁻¹) diets A30, A35 and A40 containing 30%, 35% and 40%Azolla, respectively, for 90 days. Diets were formulated by mixing Azolla with locally available by‐products. No significant differences were found in growth parameters and production (P>0.05). Total investment cost was significantly higher with A30 (P<0.05), but same profitability values were obtained with all diets (P>0.05). In experiment 2, three stocking densities, 1, 3 and 5 m⁻², were assigned to three treatments T₁, T₂ and T₃ respectively. Fish were hand‐fed twice daily with diet A40. The final mean weight (89.53–115.12 g), the mean weight gain (0.81–1.10 g day⁻¹), the specific growth rate (1.90–2.20% day⁻¹) and the apparent food conversion ratio (1.29–1.58) were affected by stocking density, with significant difference (P<0.05) at 5 m⁻², compared with the other densities. Stocking density did not affect survival rate (P>0.05). Yield and annual production increased with increasing stocking density, ranging from 7.10 ± 0.90 to 25.01 ± 1.84 kg are⁻¹ and 28.79 ± 3.66 to 101.42 ± 7.48 kg are⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively, with significant differences between all densities (P<0.05). Higher stocking density resulted in higher gross return and lower cost of fish production, with significant variations (P<0.05). The net return increased with increasing stocking density (P<0.05). However, both densities of 3 and 5 m⁻² produced the same profitability values. On the basis of growth values and economic return, it was concluded that Nile tilapia could be raised at a density of 3 fish m⁻² with A40 to improve production and generate profit for nutritional security and poverty alleviation in rural areas.     

Effect of different oil cake sources on growth, nutrient retention and digestibility, muscle nucleic acid content, gut enzyme activities and whole-body composition in silver barb, Puntius gonionotus fingerlings

Six iso‐nitrogenous (30% crude protein) and iso‐energetic (15 kJ g⁻¹) diets were prepared using different oil cake sources, viz. groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesame, mustard and mixed oil cakes as major ingredients, and protein sources along with a minimum of 5% fish meal in each diet and were fed to silver barb Puntius gonionotus fingerlings (16.20±0.11 g) ad libitum four times a day close to an apparent satiation level for a period of 60 days to determine the effect of diets on growth, nutrient utilization, apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the nutrients in the diets, gut enzyme activity, muscle nucleic acid content and whole‐body chemical composition of fish. Significantly higher (P<0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, nutrient retention, ADC of nutrients in the diets, DNA:RNA ratio, protease and amylase activity with lower (P<0.05) feed:gain values were recorded in fish‐fed groundnut and soybean oil cake‐based diets than other diets tested. Among the dietary treatment groups, significantly higher (P<0.05) whole‐body protein, lipid and energy were also found in groundnut oil cake‐ and soybean oil cake‐based diets. The study suggests that the groundnut and soybean oil cake‐based diets, which led to significantly higher (P<0.05) growth and nutrient utilization than the other oil cake‐based diets in P. gonionotus fingerlings, may be used for pond culture of this species.     

Potential of meat meal to replace fish meal in extruded dry diets for barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch). I. Growth performance

Juvenile barramundi (～220–280 g start weight) were fed extruded dry‐pelleted diets containing varying amounts of fish meal and meat meal in three experiments (E). E1 and E2 were each 66‐day farm studies utilizing 16 floating cages (400 fish per cage) in an aerated freshwater pond. E3 examined the same diets as fed in E2 but under controlled water temperature (28 ± 0.7 °C) and photoperiod (12:12) laboratory conditions in a 42‐day study involving 24 aquaria (eight fish per aquarium). In all studies, the same 430 g kg^?1 crude protein (CP), 15 kJ g^?1 digestible energy (DE) control (Ctl) diet (containing 35% Chilean anchovy fish meal) was compared with two high‐inclusion meat meal diets and a proprietary diet. The meat meal diets evaluated in E1 were a high‐ash (260 g kg^?1) meat meal that contained 520 g kg^?1 CP and a low‐ash (140 g kg^?1) meat meal that contained 600 g kg^?1 CP when included at either 450 or 400 g kg^?1, respectively, in combination with 100 g kg^?1 Chilean fish meal in diets that were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic with the Ctl diet. Growth rates and feed conversions were similar (P > 0.05) for all diets. In E2 and E3, the 520 g kg^?1 CP meat meal was included at 500 g kg^?1 without any marine protein source in diets formulated to provide either 15 or 16.2 kJ g^?1 DE and the same CP/DE ratio (29 mg kJ^?1) as the Ctl diet. Fish performance ranking of diets was similar in both experiments, with the 16.2 kJ g^?1 DE diet supporting better (P < 0.05) growth rates than the Ctl diet and feed conversion ratios equivalent to the Ctl diet but better (P < 0.05) than all other diets.     

Effect of dietary protein on growth, feed conversion, body composition and survival of pike perch fingerlings (Sander lucioperca)

Triplicate groups of pike perch (Sander lucioperca) juveniles were fed six experimental diets containing protein levels varying from 263 to 619 g kg⁻¹ dry matter (d.m.) for 56 days. Dietary protein was supplied by graded amounts of fish meal (with 720 g kg⁻¹ crude protein). Crude lipid and gross energy content of 101–107 g kg⁻¹ and 19.9–20.6 MJ kg⁻¹ remained constant between experimental diets. Pike perch with an initial body weight of 1.05 ± 0.05 g were randomly distributed in 18 tanks of two similar recirculation systems and fed on gradually decreasing feeding rates of 10 to 6% of their body weight per day. Growth performance and feed conversion increased with dietary protein level from 263 to 549 g kg⁻¹ d.m. but did not decline at highest dietary protein level. Protein efficiency ratio declined linearly with increasing dietary protein. Survival ranged between 89.7 and 93.9% and was not affected by dietary composition. Dry matter and crude lipid content of pike perch fingerlings decreased with increasing dietary protein supply and significantly the lowest dry matter and crude lipid levels were observed in fish fed diets containing 619 g kg⁻¹ of crude protein. The dietary protein requirement for pike perch fingerlings calculated by broken‐line and second‐order polynomial regression ranged between 529 and 577 g kg⁻¹, respectively.     

Dietary energy requirement of piracanjuba fingerlings, Brycon orbignyanus, and relative utilization of dietary carbohydrate and lipid

Ten isonitrogenous casein–gelatin‐based diets were formulated to contain five estimated metabolizable energy concentrations (10.92, 12.29, 13.63, 14.82 and 16.16 kJ g^?1) at two carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios (CHO : L, 5.3 and 12.8, g : g) in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 11 piracanjuba fingerlings (5.25 ± 0.14 g) and fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 90 days. Higher daily weight gain was obtained by fish fed the 13.63 kJ g^?1 diets for both CHO : L ratios. There was a significant reduction of feed consumption when dietary energy concentration increased above 13.63 kJ g^?1. Feed conversion ratio and apparent net energy retention improved as dietary energy increased. Apparent net protein retention tended to be lower in the highest and lowest dietary energy concentrations. The results suggest that dietary lipid energy was more efficiently utilized by piracanjuba fingerlings than carbohydrate energy. Body composition and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were not influenced by dietary CHO : L ratio. However, an increase in dietary energy concentration beyond 13.63 kJ g^?1 resulted in a significant increment in lipid deposition, while body moisture and HSI decreased. Our findings indicate that at 300 g kg^?1 dietary crude protein, a CHO : L ratio of 5.3 is recommended for piracanjuba, and the required energy is either 13.63 kJ g^?1 if raised for aquaculture or 14.82 kJ g^?1 if destined to stock enhancement.     

Approaches to optimizing dietary protein to energy ratio for African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28 ± 1 °C to investigate protein to energy ratio (P/E ratio) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (10.9 ± 0.04 g). Six fishmeal‐based diets of two protein levels (330 and 430 g kg^?1), each with three lipid levels (40, 80 and 120 g kg^?1) resulted in P/E ratios ranging from 15.5 to 21.3 mg protein kJ^?1 gross energy (GE) were fed to 20 fish (per 30‐L tank) in triplicate. Fish were fed 50 g kg^?1 of their body weight per day adjusted fortnightly. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth rates and feed conversion efficiency were evident in fish fed with higher protein diet. The highest growth rate was found by fish fed 430 g kg^?1 protein, 21.2 kJ^?1 GE with a P/E ratio of 20.5 mg protein kJ^?1 GE. Significantly indifferent (P > 0.05) values of protein utilization were found in‐between the both (higher and lower) protein diets. Higher lipid deposition (P < 0.05) in whole body and liver was observed with increasing dietary lipid level at each protein diet and as higher (P < 0.05) for the lower protein diets. Liver glycogen tended to decrease with increasing gross energy at each protein diet and higher protein diet showed comparatively lower values (P > 0.05). Digestive enzyme activities (protease and lipase) and histological examination of intestine and liver of fish fed varying P/E diets found no significant differences in response to experimental diets. The study reveals that African catfish C. gariepinus performed best the diet containing 430 g kg^?1, 21.2 kJ g^?1 and 20.5 mg protein kJ g^?1 GE protein, gross energy and P/E ratio, respectively.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels and protein–energy ratio on growth indices, feed utilization and body composition of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) post larvae

A grow‐out experiment was designed to determine the effect of different dietary protein, lipid levels and protein–energy (P:E) ratio on growth performance and feed utilization of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL) culture in pond net enclosures (hapa, 3.75 m^?3 each) for 12 weeks (84 days). The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate. Six test diets were formulated to contain three different protein levels (300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 diet) and two lipid levels (100 and 140 g kg^?1 diet) in a factorial manner (3 × 2) to provided six different dietary P:E ratio: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1). The result showed that the highest significant (P≤0.05) survival rate, growth indices and feed utilization were observed for M. rosenbergii PL fed a diet with a P:E ratio of 17 mg CP kJ^?1 g¹, whereas, the lowest value was recorded for prawns fed a diet with a P:E ratio of 20 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1. Whole body contents of protein and lipid were highest (P≤0.05) when fed diets with 21 and 17 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1 respectively. Concerning dietary protein levels, the highest (P≤0.05) values for survival and growth indices were observed for PL fed a diet containing 300 g kg^?1 diet protein. The same trend was observed for PL fed a diet with 100 g kg^?1 diet lipid level, irrespective of dietary protein levels. A diet containing 300 g kg^?1 protein and 100 g kg^?1 lipid with a dietary P:E ratio of 17 mg CP kJ g^?1 is recommended to stimulate growth performance and nutrients utilization efficiency of M. rosenbergii PL.     

Growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and tilapia galilae Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) fingerlings fed plant protein-based diets

This study was designed to determine the effect of complete substitution of fish meal (FM) by three plant protein sources including extruded soybean meal (SBM), extruded full‐fat soybean (FFSB) and corn gluten meal (CGM) on growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and tilapia galilae Sarothrodon galilaeus. Four isonitrogenous of crude protein (ca. 28.0%) and isocaloric (ca. 19 MJ kg⁻¹) experimental diets were formulated. The control diet (diet 1) was prepared with FM as the main protein sources. Diets 2–4, each FM control diet, were completely substituted with SBM (diet 2), FFSB (diet 3) and CGM (diet 4). l ‐lysine and dl ‐methionine were added to plant protein diets to cover the nutritional requirements of tilapia. Each treatment was allocated to three net pens and fed for 17 weeks. Nile tilapia fed the control diet showed significantly higher (P≤0.05) values for final body weight (FBW), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), whereas fish fed the diet with CGM achieved the lowest values. Tilapia galilae fed SBM diet recorded the highest (P≤0.05) values for growth performance. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) for both Oreochromis niloticus and Sarothrodon galilaeus was observed when fish were fed SBM diet, whereas the worse FCR was recorded for FFSB diet. Feed utilization parameters including protein productive value (PPV), fat retention (FR) and energy retention (ER) showed significant differences (P≤0.05) for both the species fed different dietary protein sources. The present results suggest that, for Nile tilapia, both SBM and FFSB supplemented with dl ‐methionine and l ‐lysine can completely replace dietary FM. Meanwhile, S. galilaeus fed SBM diet exhibited comparable growth and feed utilization with those fish fed a fish‐meal‐based diet.     

Effects of variable feed allowance with constant energy and ratio of energy to protein in a diet for constant protein input on the growth of common carp Cyprinus carpio L.

An 11‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and/or energy levels on growth, feed efficiency and proximate composition of juvenile (average weight: 21.5 g) common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fed various diets based on constant daily protein input. Five experimental diets were prepared. One group of diets (diets 1, 2 and 3) contained three crude protein (P) levels (35%, 40% and 45%) with a constant gross energy (GE) of 3.8 kcal g^?1 diet. The second group of diets (diets 4 and 5) were formulated to contain a GE of 4.3 or 4.9 kcal g^?1 diet and 40% or 45% protein levels, respectively, where GE/P was constant at 10.8 kcal g^?1 protein. Fish receiving diet 1 served as the control; they were hand‐fed to visual satiety. Feed allowance for diets 2 and 4 was 87.5% of the control. Feed allowance for fish receiving diets 3 and 5 was 77.8% of the control. Thus, all tanks received the same daily protein input. When gross energy in the diets was constant, 3.8 kcal g^?1 diet, weight gain of fish fed diet 2 at 87.5% satiation was significantly higher than that of fish fed diet 3 at 77.8% of satiation. When the GE/P in the diets was constant, 10.8 kcal g^?1 protein, weight gain of fish fed diet 1 was significantly higher than that of fish fed diet 5 at 77.8% satiation. The feed efficiency ratio (FER) for diets 2–5 was significantly higher than for diet 1 at constant GE and GE/P, and this improved linearly as dietary protein levels increased. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) for diet 2 was significantly higher than for diet 3 at constant GE. However, PER was not significantly different at constant GE/P. Protein retention of fish fed diet 2 was significantly higher than that of fish fed diet 3 at constant GE. Protein retention of fish linearly decreased at constant GE/P. The energy efficiency ratios (EER) for diets 2 and 3 were significantly higher than for diet 1 at constant GE. Moisture and protein contents of the whole body of fish were not significantly different at constant GE, but they decreased linearly at constant GE/P. The lipid content of fish fed diet 1 was significantly lower than that of fish fed diet 2 at constant GE, and body lipid content linearly increased at constant GE/P. These results indicate that growth and feed efficiency for common carp fed a 40% protein diet with 3.8 kcal g^?1 diet GE at 87.5% satiation rate was superior to those for the fish fed either a 35% protein diet with 3.8 kcal g^?1 diet GE at 100% satiation rate or a 45% protein diet with either a 3.8 or 4.9 kcal g^?1 diet GE at 77.8% satiation rate.