Comparison of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,and Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus,Fed Diets Containing Various Levels of Protein in Production Ponds

A comparative study was conducted on growth and protein requirements of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus. Four diets containing 24, 28, 32, or 36% protein were fed to both channel (initial weight 6.9 g/fish) and blue (6.6 g/fish) catfish for two growing seasons. There were significant interactions between dietary protein and fish species for weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). No significant differences were observed in weight gain of channel catfish fed various protein diets, whereas higher protein diets (32 and 36%) resulted in better weight gain in blue catfish than lower protein diets (24 and 28%). No consistent differences were observed in the FCR of channel catfish fed various levels of dietary protein, whereas significantly higher FCRs were noted in blue catfish fed the 24 and 28% protein diets compared with fish fed 32 and 36% protein diets. Regardless of dietary protein levels, blue catfish had higher carcass, nugget, and total meat yield, and higher fillet moisture and protein, but lower fillet yield and fillet fat. Regardless of fish species, fish fed the 36% protein diet had higher carcass, fillet, and total meat yield than fish fed the 28 and 32% protein diets, which in turn had higher yields than fish fed the 24% protein diet. It appears that blue catfish can be successfully cultured by feeding a 32% protein diet.     

Effect of dietary Aloe vera polysaccharides supplementation on growth performance,feed utilization,hemato-biochemical parameters,and survival at low pH in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) fingerlings

This study evaluated the effects of dietary Aloe vera polysaccharides on growth performance, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance against low water pH in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. Fish were divided into five triplicate groups before being fed feeds supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0% A. vera/kg diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed 1.0% A. vera/kg diet had significantly increased (P < 0.05) growth parameters (i.e., final weight, weight gain, absolute growth rate, and specific growth rate) compared to unsupplemented ones. Among dietary groups, significantly lower feed conversion ratio was presented in fish fed 1.0% followed by those fed 0.5, 2.0%, and 4.0% A. vera/kg diet (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed 1.0% A. vera/kg diet compared to unsupplemented fish and those fed 4.0% A. vera/kg diet, respectively. Dietary A. vera polysaccharide crude extracts requirement suitable for growth and feed utilization was estimated to be between 1.76 and 1.79% A. vera/kg diet. Overall, A. vera extracts had improved hemato-biochemical indices when compared to unsupplemented fish, and decreased some of the indices, especially at high dietary inclusion level (4%/kg diet). Furthermore, A. vera-supplemented fish had higher survival probability throughout the low water pH challenge period, except those fed 4% A. vera/kg diet and control diet.     

The specific dynamic action of southern catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silurus meridonalis</Emphasis> Chen,fed diets containing either raw or precooked corn starch or glucose

The growth performance of carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis) was lower when fed a diet containing glucose as a carbohydrate source than when fed one containing starch. To test whether this decreased growth performance was partly due to higher metabolic costs induced by the fast assimilation of dietary glucose, the postprandial metabolic responses of southern catfish juvenile (36.7 ± 1.9 g) fed diets containing either raw or pre-cooked corn starch and glucose were investigated at 27.5°C. The peak metabolic rate of fish fed a raw corn starch diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed precooked corn starch and glucose diets (P < 0.05). The specific dynamic action (SDA) coefficients (energy expended on SDA as a percentage of energy content of the meal) of fish fed raw or precooked corn starch diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed a glucose diet (P < 0.05). The postprandial metabolic rate of fish fed a raw starch diet displayed a classic response – increased metabolic rate immediately after feeding, followed by a decreased metabolic rate several hours after feeding – as has been documented earlier in this species. However, the postprandial metabolic rate of fish fed a glucose diet had two alternating cycles of increasing and decreasing metabolic rate, which has not been reported previously. This bimodal pattern of the SDA curve was also found in a subsequent experiment in which purified d-glucose (0.1 g dry mass) was packed into sections of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) intestine (0.05 g dry mass). The results suggest that the digestibility and absorption speed of the dietary carbohydrate has a significant effect on postprandial metabolic response in juvenile southern catfish. The results of this study may provide useful data in terms of the utilization of dietary carbohydrates by carnivorous fishes.     

Effects of dietary Nutrafito Plus on growth,haemotological parameters and total ammonia‐nitrogen excretion of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

A feeding trial was performed to determine the effect of a commercial source of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts (Nutrafito Plus^®), in practical diets, on striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus growth, feed utilization, body composition, total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) excretion and haematological parameters. Four experimental diets were supplemented with Nutrafito Plus^® at 0%, 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03% (diets: control, N01, N02 and N03 respectively). Three replicate groups of striped catfish, with initial mean weight of 1.78 ± 0.05 g, were fed one of the four diets for 12 weeks. The specific growth rate (SGR) and final weight of fish fed diet N03 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed the other dietary treatments. The growth performance of fish fed diets N01 and N02 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the control diet. Striped catfish fed diet N03 had improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), net protein utilization (NPU) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than the control (P < 0.05). The inclusion of the high dietary level of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, diet N03, reduced TAN compared to all groups. Dietary inclusion of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria at all levels investigated did not affect the whole body proximate composition of the striped catfish (P > 0.05). The packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin level in fish fed diet N03 was significantly higher than in the fish fed the control diet. The present study demonstrates that dietary inclusion of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria induced positive effects on growth performance and haematological parameters and decreased TAN excretion in striped catfish.     

Replacement of Soybean Meal in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Diets with Cottonseed Meal and Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles

Two pond experiments were conducted to evaluate cottonseed meal (CSM), distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and supplemental lysine as replacements for soybean meal (SBM) in channel catfish diets. In Experiment 1, fish fed diets in which SBM was totally replaced with CSM gained similar weight as fish fed control diet, but fish fed CSM diet in Experiment 2 had 9.5% lower weight gain than fish fed control diet. In both experiments, feed conversion increased significantly for fish fed CSM diet. There were no consistent trends in body composition of fish fed CSM diet versus control diet. Fish fed the DDGS + SMB diet had higher (Experiment 1) or similar (Experiment 2) weight gain than fish fed control diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in both experiments for fish fed SBM + DDGS diet than that of fish fed control diet. Body fat tended to be higher in fish fed SBM + DDGS diet compared to fish fed control diet. It appears that about 50% of SBM can be replaced with CSM + lysine in catfish diets without negatively affecting fish performance. Further, DDGS can be used up to at least 30% when the diet is supplemented with lysine.     

Growth,immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of darkbarbel catfish,Pelteobagrus vachelli (Richardson), fed diets with different linolenic acid levels

Experimental diets were formulated containing six levels of linolenic acid (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%) and each diet was fed to darkbarbel catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli in triplicate for 84 days. Weight gain, specific growth rate and feed efficiency increased with the increasing levels of dietary linolenic acid, but were not significantly different among diets containing 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5% linolenic acid. Red blood cell count and haemoglobin were significantly higher in fish fed the 1.0% linolenic acid than other diets. Lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin M content in fish fed 1.0% of linolenic acid were significantly higher compared with the other diets. Antibody titre in fish fed 1.0–2.5% linolenic acids was significantly higher than in fish fed 0 or 0.5% linolenic acid 14 days after Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. This study indicates that linolenic acid is essential to darkbarbel catfish. Two‐straight broken‐line analysis with SGR showed that a dietary level of 1.29% linolenic acid is the minimum required for adequate growth of darkbarbel catfish. Considering other measured indicators of fish performance, a level of 1.0–1.5% linolenic acid in the diet is recommended for the darkbarbel catfish.     

Effects of the dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of bagrid catfish,Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

A 6-week feeding trial with four dietary protein levels (22%, 32%, 42% and 52%) and two dietary lipid levels (10% and 19%) was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary protein and lipid level for the growth of bagrid catfish fingerlings (0.92±0.01 g initial weight). Survival of fish was not affected by either dietary protein or dietary lipid level. Specific growth rate of fish fed the diets containing 10% lipid increased with increasing protein level and that of fish fed the diets containing 19% lipid increased with increasing protein level up to 42%. Feed efficiency of fish fed the 42% protein diet with 19% lipid and 52% protein diet with 10–19% lipid was higher than that of other groups. Daily feed intake of fish decreased with increasing dietary protein level at both lipid levels and showed a tendency toward higher values at 10% lipid diets than at 19% lipid diets. Protein efficiency ratio and protein retention of fish decreased with increasing dietary protein level, and those of fish fed the 19% lipid diet were higher than those of fish fed the 10% diet at 42% protein diet. Moisture content of fish fed 10% lipid diets was higher than that of fish fed 19% lipid diets, at each protein level. Crude lipid content of fish fed 19% lipid diets was higher than that of fish fed 10% lipid diets at each protein level. The results of this study indicate that an increase of dietary lipid level can improve growth and protein utilization, and the diet containing 42% protein with 19% lipid would be suitable for optimum growth and effective protein utilization of bagrid catfish fingerlings.     

Combined effect of dietary protein and phytase levels on growth performance,feed utilization,and nutrients digestibility of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), reared in earthen ponds

The present study was based on a 2 × 4 factorial design with two levels of dietary protein (33% or 37% CP) and four phytase levels (0.0, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 FTU/kg diet). African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.) (10.7 ± 0.4 g), were distributed into earthen ponds (100 m² surface area per each) at a density of 4.5 fish per m². Fish were fed on the experimental diets up to satiation twice a day for 3 months. Another experiment with the same treatments was conducted in 45-L tanks for 2 months to evaluate nutrient retention and digestibility. The growth and production of African catfish fed phytase-enriched diets were higher than those fed the control diet. The highest fish performance and production was observed with fish fed 37% CP enriched with a 1,200 FTU/kg diet of phytase. Feed intake was significantly affected by supplemental phytase alone, where it increased significantly as dietary phytase increased at both protein levels, resulting in similar FCR values (1.31–1.46). Additionally, the maximum values of protein efficiency ratio, protein retention, and phosphorus retention were obtained at 33% CP with phytase levels of 750–1,000 FTU/kg diet. It is also noticed that organic matter, protein, and phosphorus were more digestible in fish fed a 37% CP diet with high phytase levels. These results suggest that the optimum performance and production of African catfish were observed at a 37.0% CP diet enriched with a phytase level of 1,200 FTU/kg diet.     

Use of full-fat winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus seed meal as a protein feedstuff in fish-meal free diets for African catfish Clarias gariepinus

Mature winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus seeds were quick-cooked and the full-fat meal derived was used to completely replace menhaden fish meal as a dietary protein source for the African catfish Clarias gariepinus . Five dry practical diets (400 g crude protein kg⁻¹ and 17.5 kJ gross energy g⁻¹ dry diet) containing menhaden fish meal (diet 1) or winged bean meal with or without graded levels of supplemental L -methionine (diets 2, 3, 4 and 5; 0, 5, 10 and 15 g kg⁻¹, respectively) were fed to catfish fingerlings (5.8  +  1.2 g) for 70 days. Weight gain, growth rate, feed conversion and protein utilization by catfish fed a winged bean meal diet without L -methionine supplementation (diet 2) was inferior ( P  > 0.05) to that in catfish fed the other diets, where performance differed nonsignificantly. Carcass protein of catfish was lower ( P  < 0.05) while liver protein was higher ( P  < 0.05) in catfish fed the winged bean meal diet without methionine supplementation. Results suggest that winged bean meal cannot replace fish meal as a protein source in catfish diets except with a minimum supplementation with 5 g L -methionine kg⁻¹ diet.     

Evaluation of dietary natural mineral materials as an antibiotic replacer on growth performance,non‐specific immune responses and disease resistance in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

We evaluated the effects of some dietary natural mineral materials as an antibiotic replacer based on growth performance, non‐specific immune responses and disease resistance in juvenile and subadult rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. First experiment, juvenile rainbow trout averaging 2.7 ± 0.02 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the six experimental diets; a basal commercial diet as a control (CON), CON with oxytetracycline (OTC), with yellow loess (YL), with Macsumsuk^® (MS), with Song‐Gang^® stone (SG) and with barley stone (BS) at 0.4% of each diet. At the end of 8‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed YL diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed CON diet. Non‐specific immune responses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme (LYS) activity and oxidative radical production of fish fed YL diet were higher than those of fish fed CON diet. At the end of 15 days of challenge test with Aeromonas salmonicida, average cumulative survival rate of fish fed YL diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed BS and CON diets. However, there were no significant differences among fish fed YL, SG and OTC diets. Second experiment, subadult rainbow trout averaging 261.5 ± 3.5 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the four experimental diets for 22 weeks: CON, and CON with OTC, YL or SG at 0.4% of each diet. At the end of feeding, growth performance of fish fed SG and YL diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed CON diet. Non‐specific immune responses in terms of SOD, MPO, LYS and NBT of fish fed SG and YL diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed CON diet. However, there were no significant differences among the fish fed YL, SG and OTC diets. The results indicate that dietary yellow loess or Song‐gang^® stone at 0.4% of diet could replace oxytetracycline in juvenile and subadult rainbow trout.     

Growth,feed conversion,body composition and nutrient retention efficiencies in fingerling catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fed different sources of dietary carbohydrate

Growth, conversion efficiency, body composition, nutrient retention and plasma glucose concentration were evaluated in fingerling catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), (3.25 ± 0.1 g) fed iso-nitrogenous (40% crude protein) and iso-caloric (4.7 kcal g^–1 gross energy) test diets containing different sources of carbohydrates (i.e. glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, dextrin, pre-cooked corn-starch or α- cellulose) at the 20% level of inclusion. Each dietary treatment had three replicates of 20 fish each. The growth trial was conducted in 70-L high-density polyvinyl flow-through (1–1.5 L min^–1) indoor circular troughs (water volume = 55 L). The catfish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily at 0800 and 1600 h for 6 days a week over ≈ 8 weeks. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were noted in the growth and feed conversion efficiencies when fish were fed the sucrose, dextrin and corn-starch diets. Similarly, growth and conversion efficiencies were similar (P > 0.05) in fish fed the glucose, fructose and maltose diets. The minimum growth and conversion efficiencies were found in fish fed the α-cellulose diet. Post-feeding glucose or maltose resulted in the maximum increase in plasma glucose, followed by sucrose, dextrin, fructose or corn-starch diets, over the 8-h sampling period. Post-feeding α-cellulose produced a relatively low (P > 0.05) variation in the plasma glucose level. Compared to the initial values, higher values of dry matter, crude protein, lipid and body energy, and lower percentages of ash were recorded in catfish fed different sources of carbohydrate. The maximum protein retention rate was seen in fish fed the dextrin diet, while a higher energy retention rate was observed in fish fed the sucrose-based diet. Dietary α-cellulose produced significantly (P < 0.05) lower values of protein and energy retention in fish. The present study indicates that utilization of complex carbohydrates in catfish is more successful with di- and monosaccharides, while dietary α-cellulose is poorly utilized.     

Effects of dietary fermented by‐product of mushroom,Pleurotus ostreatus,as an additive on growth,serological characteristics and nonspecific immune responses in juvenile Amur catfish,Silurus asotus

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary fermented by‐product of mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, (FBPM) as an additive in juvenile Amur catfish, Silurus asotus. Five diets were formulated to contain 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% (FBPM₀, FBPM_0.1, FBPM_0.2, FBPM_0.4 and FBPM_0.8 respectively) of FBPM. Fifteen fish averaging 5.7 ± 0.1 g (Mean ± SD) were fed one of the five diets in triplicate groups at 3–4% of wet body weight/day for 8 weeks. Average weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed FBPM_0.1 and FBPM_0.2 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed FBPM₀. Hematocrit contents of fish fed FBPM_0.2 were significantly higher than that of fish fed FBPM₀. Lysozyme activity of fish fed FBPM_0.1 was significantly higher than those of fish fed FBPM₀, FBPM_0.2, FBPM_0.4 and FBPM_0.8, while chemiluminescent (CL) responses of fish fed FBPM_0.2 was significantly higher than those of fish fed FBPM₀, FBPM_0.1, FBPM_0.4 and FBPM_0.8. Broken line regression analysis of WG showed that optimum dietary FBPM levels based on WG could be 0.11%. Therefore, these results suggested that the optimum dietary inclusion level of mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus by‐product fermented using lactobacillus and yeast could be greater than 0.11% but less than 0.2% based on WG and immunological responses in Amur catfish, Silurus asotus without any adverse effects on serological characteristics and body composition.     

Evaluation of Cuphea Meal as an Ingredient Replacement in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Diets

ABSTRACT

Cuphea meal is a new, alternative feedstuff that has potential as a sustainable, economical replacement for wheat, rice, and corn ingredients in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, diets. Channel catfish fingerlings were fed a control diet containing wheat or two experimental diets containing 7.5% cuphea meal, or 12.5% cuphea meal for eight weeks to determine if cuphea meal could replace wheat products in catfish diets. Mean (±SE) weight gains were 317.8 ± 28.8 g, 407.0 ± 36.9 g, and 372.8 ± 29.8 g for fish fed the control diet, the 7.5% cuphea meal diet, and the 15% cuphea meal diet, respectively, and there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) among treatments. Mean (±SE) whole-body protein of fish fed the cuphea diets (13.3 ± 0.66 and 14.5 ± 0.21%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of fish fed the wheat diet (12.7 ± 0.44%). Cuphea meal enhanced body composition of juvenile channel catfish without affecting growth or survival. Therefore, cuphea meal is a promising candidate for replacement of wheat bran at the levels tested.     

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.     

Growth,immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of darkbarbel catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli fed diets with different linolenic acids,vitamins C and E levels

The role of dietary linolenic acid (LN), vitamin E (E) and vitamin C (C) in regulating fish growth and immune response was tested on juvenile darkbarbel catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli. Five dietary combinations were used (?E?LN, +E?LN, ?E+LN, +E+LN and ?C+E+LN; ‘+’ with addition and ‘?’ without addition) in triplicate. Weight gain was highest in the ?E+LN feeding group. Red blood cell in fish fed the +E+LN diet was highest. The haematocrit and haemoglobin of fish fed the ?E+LN diet was lowest. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities in fish fed the ?E+LN diet were higher than those in fish fed other diets. Malondialdehyde in fish fed the ?C+E+LN diet was highest. Fish fed the +E+LN diet had higher levels of lysozyme activity, serum protein, complements C3 and C4, and immunoglobulin contents than fish fed other diets. Fish fed the +E+LN diet showed lower mortality and higher antibody titre than fish fed other diets after the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila for 14 day. This study suggests that the growth of darkbabel catfish is improved by increasing dietary linolenic acids. The diets with high linolenic acid, vitamin E and vitamin C can enhance the immune response and resistance in darkbarbel catfish challenged with A. hydrophila.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration on Growth and Processing Yield of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus1

Abstract.— This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein concentration and an all‐plant diet on growth and processing yield of pond‐raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Four diets were formulated using plant and animal proteins to contain 24%n, 28%, 32%, or 36% crude protein with digestible energy to protein (DE/P) ratios of 11.7, 10.2, 9.0, and 8.1 kcal/g, respectively. An all‐plant diet containing 28% protein with a DE/P ratio of 10.2 kcal/g was also included. Channel catfish fingerlings averaging 40 g/fish were stocked into 24, 0.04‐ha ponds at a density of 18,530 fish/ha. Five ponds were used for each dietary treatment except for the all‐plant diet which had four replicates. The fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 160 d. No differences were observed in feed consumption, weight gain, survival, carcass and nugget yield, or fillet moisture and protein concentrations among treatments. Fish fed the 28% protein diet had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than fish fed diets containing 24% and 32% protein, but had a FCR similar to fish fed the 36% protein diet. Fillet yield was higher for fish fed the 36% protein diet than fish fed the 24% protein diet. Visceral fat was lower in fish fed the 36% protein diet than fish fed other diets. Fish fed the 32% and 36% protein diets exhibited a lower level of fillet fat than fish fed the 24% protein diet. The 36% protein diet resulted in a lower level of fillet fat than fish fed the 28% protein diet. There was a positive linear regression in fillet yield and fillet moisture concentration and a negative linear regression in visceral fat and fillet fat against dietary protein concentration. No differences in any variables were noted between the 28% protein diets with and without animal protein except that fish fed the 28% protein diet without animal protein had a higher FCR than fish fed the 28% protein diet with animal protein. This observation did not appear to be diet related since FCR of fish fed the 32% protein diet containing animal protein was not different from that of fish fed the 28% all‐plant protein diet. Data from the present study indicate that dietary protein concentrations ranging from 24% to 36% provided for similar feed consumption, growth, feed efficiency, and carcass yield. However, since there is a general increase in fattiness and a decrease in fillet yield as the dietary protein concentration decreases or DEP ratio increases, it is suggested that a minimum of 28% dietary protein with a maximum DEIP ratio of 10 kcal/g protein is optimal for channel catfish growout.     

茯苓、白芍、鱼腥草及大黄复方药用植物添加剂对施氏鲟生长性

在水温(22±2)℃下,通过8周的生长实验,研究了饲料中添加含药用植物茯苓(Poria)、白芍(Radix Paeoniae Alba)、鱼腥草Herba Houttuyniae)及大黄(Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)的混合添加剂对初始体质量为(137.61±22.26)g的施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)生长性能和血液生化指标的影响.药用植物添加剂配比:茯苓、白芍、鱼腥草、大黄质量比为7:5:4:4(干粉).将施氏鲟饲养在室内圆形水族箱(半径44 cm,水深50 cm)中,每箱8尾,每日3次饱食投喂添加上述药用植物的饲料,添加量为饲料总质量的0％(对照组)、0.5％、1％和2％,每组3个平行.结果表明,当药用植物添加量为0.5％时,施氏鲟的摄食量、增重率、特定生长率以及蛋白质表观消化率最高(分别为385.76 g、241.46％、2.19％/d和75.59％),显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).当添加量为1％时,施氏鲟血浆酸性磷酸酶活性显著高于对照组(P＜o.05),0.5％及1％添加量可显著提高血浆总蛋白和球蛋白的含量(P＜0.05).植物性添加剂使施氏鲟血浆中总胆固醇、甘油三酯含量均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).当添加量达到2％时,施氏鲟血浆谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶以及乳酸脱氢酶活性显著升高(P＜0.05).饲料中添加0.5％的植物添加剂可以显著降低施氏鲟血浆中皮质醇含量(P＜0.05);0.5％～1％添加量可以显著提高血浆甲状腺素含量(P＜0.05).饲料中添加适量的药用植物对施氏鲟具有一定的促生长、缓解应激、提高免疫力及降低血脂的作用.     

Effect of autoclaved Ulva meal on growth performance, nutrient utilization and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the dietary incorporation of autoclaved and raw (non-autoclaved) Ulva meal on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth, nutrient utilization, body composition, diet digestibility and fatty acid composition. An algae-free control diet and four experimental diets with either 5 or 10 % inclusion levels of raw Ulva meal (5 % = RU5; 10 % = RU10) or autoclaved Ulva meal (5 % = AU5; 10 % = AU10) were formulated. Fish were fed three times daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. The growth of fish fed RU10 (final weight = 76.7 ± 3.31 g; SGR = 2.8 ± 0.05 %) diet was significantly higher than that in fish fed the AU10 diet (67.5 ± 1.61 g; SGR = 2.6 ± 0.03 %). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly better in fish fed the RU10 diet (0.9 ± 0.06) compared with control diet (1.0 ± 0.06). Condition factor, viscerosomatic index and dress-out remained unaffected by dietary treatment. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fish fed the AU10 diet (1.2 ± 0.19) than fish fed the other diets (≥1.6). The level of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3—EPA) in muscle from fish fed the RU10, AU5 and AU10 diets was significantly higher than in fish fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of Ulva meals resulted in a significant increase in muscle docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3—DPA) levels at the end of the feeding period. The results indicate that the dietary inclusion of raw Ulva meal at levels of up to 10 % can be used without significant negative effects on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, dietary digestibility and muscle fatty acid composition. In fact, the inclusion of dietary raw and autoclaved Ulva meal elevated n-3 fatty acids levels of rainbow trout muscle.     

Comparison of Practical Diets with and without Animal Protein at Various Concentrations of Dietary Protein on Performance of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Raised in Earthen Ponds1

Abstract— A 2 × 5 factorial experiment was conducted using practical-type extruded feeds containing 20, 24, 28, 32, or 36% crude protein with or without animal protein. The animal protein supplement consisted of 4% menhaden fish meal and 4% meat, bone and blood meal. Channel catfish fingerlings (average size: 26.3 g/fish) were stocked into 50 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fishha. Five ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to satiation for 202 d. There were no differences in feed conversion ratio (FCR), percentage fillet moisture, and survival among treatments. In fish fed diets containing no animal protein, feed consumption, weight gain, and percentage dressout were lower for fish fed the 20% protein diet than those fed diets containing 28% and 32% protein. Fish fed 28, 32, or 36% protein diets without animal protein did not differ in respect to percentage dressout and percentage visceral fat; fish fed the 36% protein diet had higher percentage fillet protein and a lower percentage fillet fat than fish fed other diets with the exception of fish fed the 28% protein diet. In fish fed diets containing animal protein, feed consumption, weight gain, percentage fillet protein and ash, and percentage dressout were lower and visceral fat was higher for fish fed the 20% protein diet than those fed other diets. Fish fed diets containing 24% protein and above with animal protein were not different in respect to weight gain and feed consumption, but fish fed the 24% protein diet had a higher percentage fillet fat than fish fed a 32% or 36% protein diet. Fish fed the 32% protein diet had a lower visceral fat. Considering animal protein vs non-animal protein with the data pooled across all diets without regard to dietary protein level, weight gain and FCR of fish fed diets containing animal protein were higher than those fed diets containing no animal protein. However, weight gain of fish fed diets containing 20, 28, or 32% protein with or without animal protein did not differ. Dressout percentage and fillet protein were higher and fillet fat was lower for fish fed diets containing no animal protein than those fed diets containing animal protein. Data from this study indicated that animal protein may not be a necessary dietary ingredient for fish fed 28% or 32% protein diets typically used for grow out of pond-raised channel catfish under satiation feeding conditions. Whether animal protein should be included in catfish diets containing less than 28% protein is unclear, since fish fed the 24% protein diet benefited from animal protein but those fed the 20% protein diet did not benefit from animal protein. Additional studies to provide more information on low-protein, all-plant diets are currently being conducted.     

Evaluation of Practical Diets with Various Levels of Dietary Protein and Animal Protein for Pond-Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus1

Three levels of dietary protein (26, 28, or 32%) and four levels of animal protein (0, 2, 4, or 6%) were evaluated in a factorial experiment for pond-raised channel caffish using practical-type extruded feeds. Meat, bone, and blood meal (65% protein) was used as the animal protein source. Channel catfish fingerlings (average weight: 69 glfish) were stocked into 48 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fishha. Four ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 158 d. No differences were observed in weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, survival, and hematocrits of channel catfish fed diets containing various levels of dietary protein and animal protein. Inclusion of animal protein in the diet did not affect fish dressout, percentage visceral fat, or fillet composition. Comparison of means pooled by dietary protein without regard to animal protein showed that fish fed diets containing 26% protein had a lower percentage dressout than fish fed higher protein diets (55.4% vs. 56.3%). Fish fed the 32% protein diet had lower visceral fat than those fed the 26% or 28% protein diet (2.9% vs. 3.6% or 3.4%). Fillet fat was lower for fish fed the 32% protein diet than for fish fed the 26% protein diet (5.8% vs. 7.1%). Fillet fat in fish fed the 28% protein diet (6.5%) was not different from fish fed either 26% or 32% dietary protein. No differences were detected in fillet protein, moisture, and ash concentrations among fish fed diets containing various concentrations of protein. There were no interactions between dietary protein and animal protein for any variables. Results from the present study indicate that animal protein can be eliminated from diets for grow out of channel catfish fed to apparent satiation using diets containing 26% to 32% crude protein.