The enrichment of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia franciscana with taurine liposomes and their subsequent effects on the larval development of California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi)

Taurine is an essential or conditionally essential nutrient for many species of marine fish, especially during early development. There is growing evidence that marine fish larvae benefit from taurine‐enriched rotifers; however, it is unknown if larvae benefit from taurine‐enriched Artemia. We investigated the effects of taurine‐enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia franciscana on the growth and whole‐body taurine concentrations of California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi; CYT) larvae. The approach used in this study was to encapsulate taurine within microparticles (liposomes), which were then fed to rotifers and Artemia. We found that feeding taurine liposomes to rotifers and Artemia resulted in taurine concentrations in these prey species that were similar to or above those previously reported in copepods. At the end of the rotifer phase, CYT larvae fed taurine‐enriched rotifers showed increased growth (final dry weights; DW) and had higher whole body taurine concentrations when compared to larvae fed unenriched rotifers. At the end of the Artemia phase, CYT whole body taurine concentrations varied among dietary treatments. Larval lengths and DWs were not significantly different among treatments at the end of the Artemia phase, suggesting that the taurine concentrations of unenriched Artemia were sufficient to support the growth of CYT larvae.     

The problem of meeting dietary protein requirements in intensive aquaculture of marine fish larvae, with emphasis on Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) achieve a mature gastrointestinal tract approximately 2 months after first feeding (12 °C). The immature digestion may be the reason that compound diets fail to sustain growth and survival in first feeding halibut larvae and in larvae of other marine fish species. On the other hand, larvae fed with live feeds are capable of extraction of sufficient quantities of nutrients to sustain high growth rates. A lower availability of the protein in formulated diets compared with live prey is considered to be an important reason for the low performance of formulated diets. One approach to increase dietary protein availability is supplementation of pre‐digested proteins. Experiments using tube fed individual larvae show that halibut larvae are able to utilize hydrolysed protein more efficiently than intact protein. However, Atlantic halibut in culture did not respond well to dietary supplementation of hydrolysed protein, in contrast to some other species. One reason may be extensive leaching of pre‐hydrolysed proteins from the microparticulate feed. Atlantic halibut are slow feeders and may thus suffer more from nutrient leaching than species eating more rapidly. Feed formulation techniques affect dietary protein leaching, and in this paper, different techniques and their impact on feed properties are described. Microbound diets are most widely used in larval rearing, but show high rates of nutrient leaching. Lipid‐based capsules seem to have the best potential to prevent leaching, however, they are not able to deliver a complete diet. The high need for improvements in larval feed formulation techniques are clearly stated, and some suggestions are given. Among these are production of complex particles, where small lipid‐based capsules or liposomes containing the low molecular weight water‐soluble nutrients are embedded. In such feed particles the water‐soluble molecules are protected from leaching. Techniques for delivery of water‐soluble nutrients that are needed in large quantities, i.e. free amino acids or hydrolysed and water‐soluble protein, remain to be developed.     

The tolerance and safety assessment of taurine as additive in a marine carnivorous fish,Scophthalmus maximus L.

The effects of dietary taurine on growth performance, liver and intestine morphology, serum physiological and antioxidant parameters, serum thyroid hormone level, muscle taurine content and fatty acid composition of turbot were first evaluated, for the safe utilization in marine fish feed and for human food safety. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 0, 10, 50 and 100 g/kg taurine. Each diet was randomly assigned to six replicates of 30 juvenile turbot (initial mean weight of 7.46 g). The feeding trial lasted for 10 weeks. The growth performance of fish was significantly enhanced by 10 g/kg dietary taurine. The integrity of the distal intestine was impaired and the absorptive surface was found to be significantly reduced by 100 g/kg dietary taurine. The obvious pathological changes in liver were observed in fish fed 100 g/kg taurine. Dietary taurine with 10 and 50 g/kg significantly increased the activities of serum superoxide dismutase, lysozyme and thyroid hormone. The taurine content in muscle was found to be significantly increased by dietary taurine; however, no significant differences were observed among taurine‐supplemented treatments. This study suggested that 10 g/kg taurine was safe in turbot feed, and fivefold of safety margin was obtained.     

Acceptability of various microparticulate diets to first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae

The acceptability of eight diets made by a wide variety of microparticulate manufacturing processes was studied using first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Diets were formulated using a common dietary mix but differed in manufacture technique. The microparticulate diets fed were (1) carrageenan bound, (2) alginate bound, (3) starch/konjack bound, (4) microextruded/maurmurized (MEM), (5) zein bound, (6) carboxymethyl cellulose bound (CMC), (7) particle-assisted rotationally agglomerated (PARA) and (8) a commercial microparticulate diet (Fry Feed Kyowa B-700, FFK). Controls were groups fed live Artemia nauplii and unfed. Gut fullness was measured as the cross-sectional optical area of the bolus visible through the transparent body of the larvae using computer-aided image analysis. Feeding incidence on MEM particles (71 ± 8%, mean ± standard error), zein-bound particles (69 ± 7%), alginate-bound particles (68 ± 2%) and PARA particles (65 ± 6%) were not significantly different ( P   0.05) from the feeding incidence for Artemia (71 ± 6%). FFK (49 ± 14%) and particles bound with carboxymethyl cellulose (27 ± 0.07%), starch (21 ± 10%) or carrageenan (20 ± 0.8%) had significantly ( P  < 0.05) lower feeding incidence. Larvae that did initiate feeding did not differ significantly ( P  > 0.05) in the amount of each microparticulate diet or Artemia consumed. This data indicates that once first-feeding walleye start on a diet, they will consume that diet to a similar fixed level of satiation. Given the differences in the amounts of water and nutrients in the various diets, more nutrients were delivered to the gut of walleye larvae feeding on microparticulate diets than on the Artemia control.     

Influence of dietary protein level on growth performance,digestibility and activity of immunity‐related enzymes of leopard coral grouper,Plectropomus leopardus (Lacépède, 1802)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess the interaction between dietary protein levels and fish growth, digestibility and activity of immunity‐related enzymes of Plectropomus leopardus. Five diets with different protein levels (400 g/kg, 450 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg protein) were designed. P. leopardus fed with 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg dietary protein, showed higher weight gain rates than fish fed 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein. Ingestion rate in fish fed with 500 g/kg dietary protein was significantly higher than those with other diets. P. leopardus fed with 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg dietary protein, showed that feed coefficients were significantly lower than those fed with 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein. Net protein utilization was significantly lower in fish fed with 400 g/kg diet than those with other diets. Fish fed with 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein had an apparent feed digestibility coefficient for dry matter that was significantly lower than that with other diets. Protease activity was highest in fish fed on 500 g/kg dietary protein. Fish fed with 500 g/kg dietary protein, had the highest superoxide dismutase activity. Fish fed with 600 g/kg dietary protein, had the highest alkaline phosphatase activity. Thus, a diet containing 500 g/kg protein is recommended for P. leopardus aquaculture.     

Nutrition of Marine Fish Larvae

ABSTRACT

In the hatchery production of aquatic animals for aquaculture, livefoods such as diatoms; rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis and brine shrimp, Artemia salina, have been used throughout the world. However, such production requires large facilities, maintenance expenses, and labor to produce a desired amount of live foods constantly and reliably. Also, the nutritive value of planktonic organisms is occasionally variable, indicating that the dietary quality of these live foods varies with the content of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 HUFA). Therefore it is necessary to develop microparticulate diets as a substitute for live foods to further increase theproductivity of seed for fish culture. The nutritional components of microparticulate diets for fish larvae should be determined on the basis of requirements of the larval fish for proteins and amino acids, lipids and fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, the efficient development of microparticulate diets for the fish larvae has promoted the improvement of nutritional requirement studies. The present reviewconcerning the nutrition of marine fish larvae focuses on the proteins, amino acids, peptides, fatty acids, phospholipids, depigmentation of flatfish, stress tolerance of lipids, incorporation of HUFA in neural tissues, HUFA in egg and larvae, HUFA enrichment of live food, carbohydrates, vitamins, energy source during embryo and larval stages, enzyme supplement in microparticulate diets, and application of microparticulate diets inaquaculture.     

Replacement of fish oil with a DHA‐rich Schizochytrium meal on growth performance,activities of digestive enzyme and fatty acid profile of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary fish oil with Schizochytrium meal for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae (initial body weight 4.21 ± 0.10 mg). Six test microdiets were formulated using Schizochytrium meal to replace 0 g/kg, 250 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 750 g/kg, 1000 g/kg or 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA. No significant differences were observed in survival, growth, final body length and activities of digestive enzyme among shrimp fed different diets (p > .05). No significant differences were observed in C20:5n‐3 (EPA) in muscle samples (p > .05). C18:3n‐3 and C20:4n‐6 in muscle increased as Schizochytrium meal replacement level increased (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in C22:6n‐3 (DHA) and n‐3 fatty acids among shrimp fed diets that algae meal replaced 0 g/kg ‐ 1000 g/kg of fish oil. Shrimp fed diet R150 had higher DHA content than other groups and had higher n‐3 fatty acids than that of shrimp fed diets R50, R75 and R100 (p < .05). C18:2n‐6, PUFA and n‐6 fatty acids in muscle increased, while n‐3/n‐6 ratio decreased with increasing algae meal replacement level from 0 g/kg to 1000 g/kg (p < .05). In conclusion, Schizochytrium meal could replace 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA in the microdiets without negatively affecting shrimp larvae survival, growth and activities of digestive enzyme.     

Effects of dietary linolenic acid on growth,fatty acid composition,immune function and antioxidant status of juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

A nine‐week feeding trial was performed to determine the dietary linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n–3) requirements of juvenile blunt snout bream. Six iso‐nitrogenous, semi‐purified diets were prepared with different concentrations of LNA (0–25 g/kg). Dietary LNA had no significant effects on survival rate. However, final fish weight, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations up to 20 g/kg. Dietary LNA increased muscle LNA and total n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents, but decreased total saturated fatty acid content. Fish fed 20 g/kg LNA had the highest plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, total protein, albumin and white blood cell count levels. Additionally, fish fed 20 g/kg LNA had higher triglyceride levels than control fish. Plasma glucose increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations up to 15 g/kg. Based on SGR and FER, the optimal dietary LNA requirements of juvenile blunt snout bream were 17.5 and 15.6 g/kg respectively.     

Effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth,digestive enzyme,immunity and resistant to dry stress of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fed low fish meal diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth, immunity and resistant to dry stress of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fed low fish meal diets. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid diets (32% fish meal) supplemented with six taurine concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 g/kg; designated as T₀, T_0.03, T_0.06, T_0.09, T_0.12 and T_0.15 groups, respectively) were prepared. A diet including 42% fish meal (FM group) was also included as a reference. The results showed that specific growth rate (SGR) in FM group was significantly higher than that in lower fish meal treatments. SGR significantly increased and slowly decreased with the increase in taurine supplementation level. Lipase activity value in intestine of M. albus fed FM diet was maximum, and with the increase in taurine supplementation level, lipase activity significantly increased and slowly decreased. The FM group had relative higher total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) content, catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), and lyzozyme (LZM) activities in serum than the other groups. With the increase in dietary taurine supplementation level, the CAT, T‐SOD, T‐AOC and LZM activities in serum significantly increased and then decreased. In the dry stress experience, the adrenaline (AD), cortisol (COR), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, T‐AOC content, CAT and T‐SOD activities in serum of M. albus in the four groups first increased and reached the peak at 2 hr, and then decreased under air‐exposure stress. Compared to the FM group, T_0.15 group had relative higher T‐AOC content, CAT and T‐SOD activities, and lower AD, COR GLU, TC and MDA concentrations.     

Effects of dietary taurine levels on epidermal thickness and scale loss in red sea bream,Pagrus major

Taurine is often added to artificial fish diets to compensate for a reduction in fish meal (FM). However, the taurine content of FM‐based diets is typically lower than in diets consisting of raw fish, even in diets where FM is the only protein source. We evaluated the effects of dietary taurine in FM‐based diets on epidermal thickness and scale detachability in red sea bream Pagrus major. We compared the effect of diets containing 0% (control), 0.3% (Tau‐0.3%), 0.6% (Tau‐0.6%) and 1.0% (Tau‐1.0%) taurine. Red sea bream (average body weight, 39 g) were fed these diets for 7 weeks. Taurine supplementation had no effect on growth, feed intake, feeding efficiency, or survival. However, the epidermal thickness was higher in fish in the Tau‐0.6% and Tau‐1.0% groups than in the control and Tau‐0.3% groups. Similarly, scale loss was significantly higher in the control group than in the Tau‐0.6% and Tau‐1.0% groups. Our results suggest that supplementation with >0.6% taurine (1.0% in diet) improves skin condition.     

Determination of dietary phosphorus requirement of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis based on feed conversion,growth, vertebrae phosphorus,whole body phosphorus,haematology and antioxidant status

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary phosphorus requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fingerlings (7.7 ± 0.04 g). Fish were fed casein–gelatine‐based purified diets in triplicate groups near satiation with seven different levels of dietary phosphorus (3.2, 5.2, 7.2, 9.2, 11.2, 13.2 and 15.2 g/kg dry diet). All diets were formulated to be isoproteic (400 g/kg) and isoenergetic (17.89 kJ/g). Highest absolute weight gain (68.38 g/fish), best feed conversion ratio (1.48), protein retention efficiency (30.74%), protein gain (12.44 g/fish), haemoglobin (11.19 g/dL), RBCs (3.12 x10⁶/mm³), haematocrit (33.44%) and serum phosphate (2.82 mg/L) were found at 9.2 g/kg phosphorus. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were also significantly influenced by the dietary phosphorus levels. Whole body and vertebrae phosphorus concentrations increased significantly as the amount of dietary phosphorus increased from 3.2 to 11.2 g/kg dry diet and then plateaued. More accurate information on dietary phosphorus requirement was obtained by subjecting the AWG, FCR, vertebrae phosphorus and whole body phosphorus concentrations data against various levels of dietary phosphorus to broken‐line analysis, which yielded the requirement in the range of 9.0–11.0 g/kg for optimum growth and mineralization of H. fossilis.     

Effect of dietary taurine and methionine supplementation on growth performance,body composition,taurine retention and lipid status of Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897), fed with plant‐based diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary taurine and methionine on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fed with plant‐based diets. To this purpose, sturgeons were fed with either of methionine + taurine‐supplemented (MT), without taurine supplementation (M) or without methionine supplementation (T) diets. Growth performance, body composition, tissue amino acids and serum glucose and lipids were studied at the end of the experiment. Results showed that the treatments T and MT had similar growth performance and feed efficiency, which were significantly higher than the treatment M. Dietary taurine and methionine significantly altered carcass and liver taurine and methionine contents. The highest serum glucose was observed in the treatment M and the lowest in treatment MT. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the treatments T and MT were similar and significantly higher than those of the treatment M. This study showed that Persian sturgeon needs taurine supplementation when fed with plant‐based diets, but the supplemented level seems to be lower than those of the other species. Taurine has hypoglycaemic and lipidogenesis effects on Persian sturgeon. However, further studies are required to illustrate taurine and methionine metabolism in Persian sturgeon.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with coconut oil on the growth,fatty acid profiles and some lipid metabolism relative gene expressions of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides

This study investigated the effects of coconut oil as a dietary supplement on the growth, lipid metabolism and related gene expressions of juvenile orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides. Coconut oil at concentrations of 0, 10, 30 and 50 g/kg was used to replace dietary lipids in a basal diet containing 150 g/kg lipids. The four experimental diets were, respectively, fed to triplicate groups of juvenile groupers (initial weight: 8.53 ± 0.13 g) in a recirculating system for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 50 g/kg coconut oil exhibited lower (p < .05) weight gain than did fish fed the diet containing 30 g/kg coconut oil; however, no significant differences in weight gain were observed between fish fed diets containing 0 and 10 g/kg coconut oil. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid elongase, fatty acid desaturase and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma gene expressions were all the highest in fish fed the diet containing 10 g/kg coconut oil. Fish fed the coconut oil‐free basal diet demonstrated upregulated gene expression of neuropeptide Y. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with 10 g/kg coconut oil exerted beneficial effects on lipid metabolism by E. coioides.     

The effects of dietary inulin and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) tuber on the growth performance,haematological, blood chemical and immune parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

This study investigated the effects of dietary inulin or Jerusalem artichoke (JA) on the growth performance, haematological, blood chemical and immune parameters of Nile tilapia fingerlings. Five treatment diets were designed to incorporate inulin at 0 (basal diet), 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg and JA at 5.0 and 10.0 g/kg. Two basal diets including fish meal and formulated experimental feed were used for fry and fingerling growing periods, respectively. During the fry growing period, larvae were fed treatment diets for 4 weeks. There were no significant differences in growth performance or survival rate. Fingerlings were then nursed with the formulated experimental diets from weeks 5 to 12. Fingerlings fed on inulin at 5.0 g/kg or JA at either level had better growth performance and survival rate than that fed on the basal diets. There were no significant differences in body composition. Dietary prebiotic inulin and JA increased red blood cell number (p < .05). Among the five blood chemistry parameters examined, both inulin at 5.0 g kg and JA (5.0 and 10.0 g/kg) increased blood protein (p < .05). Dietary inulin at 5.0 g/kg and JA at 5.0 and 10.0 g/kg increased total immunoglobulin and lysozyme activity (p < .05). Both inulin and JA inclusion diets increased alternative complement activity (p < .05). Taken together, dietary inulin at 5 g/kg and JA at 5.0 and 10.0 g/kg had beneficial effects on the growth performance, survival rate and immune of Nile tilapia fingerlings.     

The effect of taurine supplementation to a plant‐based diet for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) with varying methionine content

The effect of variable taurine inclusion (Tau) (1 g/kg DM to 15 g/kg DM) in the diet of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) on growth and nutrient utilization was investigated at three levels of dietary methionine (Met) supplementation. Diets were fed to juvenile barramundi (starting weight: 26.8 g) twice daily under a restricted pair‐fed regime for a period of 42 days. No significant effect of dietary Tau supply on growth or nutrient utilization was observed at any level of Met inclusion. Numerical variations suggested a positive effect of Tau provision at the mid‐level of supplementation (6–8 g/kg DM). The best‐fit response model (5‐SKM), fitted to the percentage body weight gain data of fish fed diets with an adequate level of Met, suggested a relatively weak pattern of response (R² = 0.183) and predicted a Tau requirement of 5.47 g/kg DM (9.64 g/kg CP) similar to that reported for several other species. It was concluded that taurine appears to be conditionally essential to barramundi, whereby provision in the diet when sulphur amino acid supply is insufficient to meet biosynthetic demands may be beneficial, but that the predicted requirement is likely reasonably accurate for use as a minimum level of inclusion.     

Astaxanthin krill oil enhances the growth performance and fatty acid composition of the Pacific whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,reared under hypersaline conditions

Hypersalinity culture of marine shrimp can lead to poor growth and feed efficiency. This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation of three oil sources (krill, fish and soybean) on the growth of Litopenaeus vannamei reared under high salinity. Shrimp of 2.79 ± 0.60 g were reared for 64 days under isosmotic (ISO, 23 ± 1.2 g/L) and hyperosmotic (HOS, 44 ± 2.0 g/L) conditions. Diets varied in their fatty acid composition: Control, 35 g/kg of the diet (as fed basis) soybean oil; Fish, 27 g/kg fish oil and 10 g/kg soybean oil; Krill, 48 g/kg krill oil and 4 g/kg soybean oil; Krill‐, 15 g/kg krill oil and 21 g/kg soybean oil; Krill+, 55 g/kg krill oil and 4 g/kg soybean oil. At harvest, Krill diet promoted the fastest shrimp growth (1.01 ± 0.01 g/week) and body weight (11.97 ± 2.01 g), regardless of water salinity. There were no significant differences in shrimp survival (93.4 ± 5.07%) and yield (554 ± 68.5 g/m²) among different diets. Shrimp fed Fish, Krill and Krill+ had higher concentrations of PUFA compared to those fed Control and Krill‐ diets.     

Effect of 5′‐inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate (GMP) on the growth,immunity and muscle composition of turbot,Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758)

We evaluated the effect of different concentrations of 5′‐inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate (GMP) on the growth, immunity and muscle composition of turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Eight diets (containing no IMP or GMP, or 0.5 g/kg IMP, 1.0 g/kg IMP, 2.0 g/kg IMP, 0.5 g/kg GMP, 1.0 g/kg GMP, 2.0 g/kg GMP, or 0.5 g/kg IMP plus 0.5 g/kg GMP) were prepared. A total of 360 fish (average body weight of 105 g) were randomly selected and placed in groups into 24 plastic aquaria (8 treatments × 3 replicates × 15 individuals per plastic aquaria). The tanks were maintained at the temperature of 15 ± 2°C. The experimental diets were fed for 60 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly higher in S. maximus fed with IMP or GMP compared with fish fed neither IMP nor GMP. The highest SGR was observed in fish fed with 1.0 g/kg IMP. Supplementation with these dietary nucleotides had a positive, but not significant effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. There was a significant difference in the moisture and crude lipid content of muscle from S. maximus fed the different diets compared with control fish. The highest moisture content was 83.44 for a diet of 0.5 g/kg IMP plus 0.5 g/kg GMP, which was also significantly higher when compared to fish fed alternative diets. The crude lipid content of S. maximus fed diets containing either IMP or GMP was significantly higher than those fed diets without IMP or GMP. Thus, according to these results, the optimal level of dietary IMP is 1.0 g/kg, which correlates with the largest increase in growth performance of S. maximus.     

Effect of supplemental taurine on juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus growth performance

Juvenile channel catfish (5.6 g/fish) were fed a basal diet that contained major protein (soybean meal, cottonseed meal) and energy (ground corn grain, wheat middlings) ingredients that were derived from plant sources. The basal diet was supplemented with three levels of crystalline taurine to provide 1, 2 and 5 g/kg taurine. In addition, a fifth diet that contained 80 g/kg menhaden fishmeal formulated with the same plant‐source ingredients was included as the positive control diet. Fish were fed the five diets once daily for 12 weeks. Weight gain was highest in catfish fed taurine at 2 g/kg (47.8 g/fish) compared to catfish fed the control basal diet (40.8 g/fish) and 80 g/kg fishmeal diet (41.1 g/fish) (p < .05). Among the taurine‐supplemented diets, weight gain was lowest in catfish fed taurine at 5 g/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in fish fed diets supplemented with taurine at 2 g/kg compared to all other treatments (p < .01). Survival during the growth study ranged from 98.0 to 99.0% (p > .05) for all treatments. The results suggest taurine supplementation to juvenile channel catfish may improve weight gain and FCR.     

Beef tallow is suitable as a primary lipid source in juvenile Florida pompano feeds

It is assumed that Florida pompano have dietary EPA (20:5n‐3) and DHA (22:6n‐3) requirements. However, it is unclear whether both are equally important in meeting demand for n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) or whether the requirement(s) can be influenced by other fatty acids. Accordingly, we assessed production performance and tissue composition of juvenile Florida pompano (41.0 ± 0.5 g) fed diets containing fish oil; beef tallow; or beef tallow partially or fully supplemented with EPA, DHA or both. After 8 weeks, no signs of fatty acid deficiency were observed. Although fish performance did not vary significantly among the dietary treatments, fish fed the DHA‐supplemented feeds exhibited numerically superior growth than those fed the other diets. Fillets of fish fed the beef tallow‐based diets contained reduced levels of n‐3 fatty acids and LC‐PUFAs and elevated levels of MUFAs and n‐6 fatty acids, although dietary supplementation with EPA and/or DHA attenuated these effects somewhat. Our results suggest that beef tallow is suitable as a primary lipid source in Florida pompano feeds and n‐3 LC‐PUFA requirements may be met by as little as 4 g/kg EPA and 4 g/kg DHA. However, there may be value in supplementing tallow‐based diets with DHA to enhance tissue levels and possibly growth.     

Dietary thiamin requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth,protein gain,liver thiamin storage,RNA/DNA ratio and biochemical composition

Dietary thiamin requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus was quantified by feeding casein/gelatin‐based diets (450 g/kg CP; 18.39 kJ/g GE) with seven graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.9 ± 0.93 cm; 4.91 ± 0.62 g) for 16 weeks. Fish fed diet with 2.5 mg/kg thiamin reflected highest absolute weight gain (AWG), protein gain (PG), RNA/DNA ratio and lowest feed conversion ratio. Similarly, highest liver thiamin concentration was also recorded in fish fed 2.5 mg/kg thiamin diet. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration responded negatively with increasing concentrations of dietary thiamin up to 2.5 mg/kg, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were found to improve with the increasing levels of dietary thiamin from 0 to 2.5 mg/kg. Transketolase activity also improved as the thiamin concentrations increased up to 2.5 mg/kg. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, PG, RNA/DNA ratio, liver thiamin concentrations, transketolase and TBARS activities exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 2.34–2.59 mg/kg diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.