Effect of dietary zinc supplementation and phytase pre-treatment of soybean meal or corn gluten meal on growth, zinc status and zinc-related metabolism in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were fed diets containing untreated or phytase-treated soybean meal and corn gluten meal with or without 50 mg supplemental zinc kg–1 to determine if dietary phytate caused a zinc (Zn) deficiency. Fish fed diets containing untreated soybean meal and corn gluten meal without supplemental Zn (basal diet) showed no signs of a Zn deficiency after 170 d of weight gain. Weight gain, carcass protein content, total bone Zn, and alkaline phosphatase and carboxypeptidase B activities were not significantly altered in fish fed the basal diet. Dietary phytate removal and supplemental dietary Zn were not required to prevent Zn deficiency in rainbow trout fed a plant-based diet. Although bone Zn concentrations were reduced in fish fed the basal diet, total bone Zn increased in all fish regardless of dietary treatment. Future assessments of Zn status of fish should be based on changes in Zn-dependent metabolism or total bone Zn rather than on bone Zn concentration.     

Use of Defatted Soybean Meal and Blue Mussel Meat as Substitute for Fish Meal in the Diet of Tiger Puffer,Takifugu rubripes

A feeding experiment was conducted to examine the potential use of defatted soybean meal (SBM) and freeze‐dried meat of blue mussel (BM) as partial replacement of fish meal in the diet of tiger puffer. Eight experimental diets were formulated, in which 0, 20, 40 and 60% fish meal protein were replaced with SBM (S0B0, S20B0, S40B0, and S60B0), and 40 and 60% with a combination of SBM and BM (S30B10, S20B20, and S45B15, S30B30). Fish of 11 g initial body weight were fed the diets to satiation twice daily, 6 d/wk for 8 wk at 20 C. Specific growth rate, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed diets containing SBM as an alternative protein source for fish meal decreased with increasing level of SBM, and these parameters of fish fed S40B0 and S60B0 diets were significantly lower than those of the control. Growth of fish in dietary groups containing BM were statistically identical to those in the control, and tended to increase with increasing level of dietary BM both at 40 and 60% substitution levels. Growth and feed utilization of fish fed S20B20 were almost the same to those in the control.     

Evaluation of Cassia fistula meal as a replacement for soybean meal in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

This study was undertaken to determine the replacement value of Cassia fistula seed meal (CFM) for soybean meal (SBM) in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Five practical diets (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) containing 0 g kg^?1 (control), 170 g kg^?1 (diet II), 340 g kg^?1 (diet III), 509 g kg^?1 (diet IV) and 670 g kg^?1 (diet V) substitution levels of CFM for SBM were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of O. niloticus fingerlings (mean initial weight of 10.22 ± 0.03 g) for 70 days. Fish mortality increased linearly with increase in inclusion levels of CFM in the diet. Growth and diet utilization efficiency were depressed in fish fed diets containing CFM at varying inclusion levels. Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of O. niloticus fed on diet containing 170 g kg^?1 substitution level of CFM were similar (P > 0.05) to the control diet. Digestibility of the different diets decreased with increase in inclusion levels of CFM. Fish fed diet containing 670 g kg^?1 CFM had significantly lower carcass protein. However, no significant differences were observed in carcass protein and lipid contents between fish fed the control diets and diet containing 170 g kg^?1 CFM. The most efficient diet in terms of cost per unit weight gain of fish was obtained in 170 g kg^?1 CFM dietary substitution.     

Nutritional evaluation of some Bangladeshi oilseed meals as partial substitutes for fish meal in the diet of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract. Three oilseed meals (mustard, linseed and sesame) of Bangladeshi origin were evaluated as fish meal substitutes in diets of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. These oilseed meals were included in the diet at various levels (25, 50 and 75% of dietary protein) and the response of fish fed these diets was compared to fish fed a fish meal based control diet (40% protein). On the basis of observed growth rate, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and apparent net protein utilization, the control diet produced significantly (P< 0.05) the best growth performance. Growth responses were significantly affected by both type and inclusion level of oilseed protein. Of the oilseed proteins tested, the 25% mustard protein and 25% linseed protein diets produced significantly (P< 0.05) better growth performances than higher inclusion levels tested. Apparent protein digestibilities (APDs) for all diets were fairly high, ranging from 77.72 to 89.8O%. In general, APD values decreased with increasing plant protein. Fish fed diets containing higher levels of oilseed protein had significantly (P< 0.05) higher carcass moisture and lower carcass lipid contents. Fish fed 50% mustard protein had histological abnormalities in liver and thyroid tissues. Results are discussed with respect to dietary levels of essential amino acid and anti-nutritional factors.     

Growth, feed efficiency and body mineral composition of juvenile vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis, Valenciennes 1840) in relation to various dietary levels of soybean or cottonseed meals

This study aimed to assess the effect of soybean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM), as partial replacement of dietary fish meal on growth, feed efficiency (FE) and body mineral composition of juvenile vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis). Five iso‐nitrogenous (390 g kg^?1 crude protein) and iso‐caloric (18 kJ g^?1, gross energy) diets (Control, SBM30, SBM60, CSM30 and CSM60) were fed to triplicate groups of 40 fish (initial mean weight: 12 g) in each tank (0.9 m³). Over a 7‐week feeding period, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed on growth, FE and body mineral composition between treatments. Fish‐fed CSM‐based diets and 600 g kg^?1 SBM‐based diet had reduced growth and reduced feed and protein efficiencies when compared with those fed diet containing 300 g kg^?1 SBM or the control diet. Data from body mineral composition in response to dietary treatment could be divided into two groups. The first group refers to elements such as Mg and Fe for which carcass and fillet composition did not show significant differences with dietary level of SBM or CSM. Ca, P, K, Zn and Mn composed the second group of minerals whose concentrations in fish body were significantly reduced in fish‐fed SBM60. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that although solvent‐extracted SBM and CSM are often reported safe for fish, they can only partially replace fish meal as a source of protein in compound feed for vundu at a limited amount between 300 and 600 g kg^?1 for SBM and <300 g kg^?1 for CSM.     

Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth, feed utilization and carcass composition of cuneate drum (Nibea miichthioides)

The effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) in practical feeds for cuneate drum was evaluated in an 8-week net pen trial. The cuneate drum fingerlings (initial body weight 29.8 ± 1.3 g fish^− 1) were fed six isonitrogenous and isocaloric feeds containing 39% digestible protein and 16 MJ kg^− 1 digestible energy. The control feed was formulated to contain 40% herring meal, whereas in the other five feeds SBM was included at 11.3, 22.5, 33.8, 45.0 and 56.3% to replace 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100% of the fish meal. There were no significant differences in feed intake between fish fed the control feed and feeds in which SBM replaced 20 to 80% of the fish meal, but fish fed the fish meal free feed had higher feed intake than the other treatments. Weight gain linearly declined with the decrease of fish meal level. Final body weight (FBW) of fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 20% of the fish meal did not significantly differ from fish fed the control feed. Replacing 40 to 100% of the fish meal resulted in lower FBW and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those of fish fed the control feed. Fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had lower condition factor and hepatosomatic index than those of fish fed the control feed. No significant differences in carcass protein content was found among the treatments, but fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had higher moisture and lower lipid content in carcass than those of fish fed the control feed. Results of the present study appear to indicate that cuneate drum has a limited ability to utilize SBM as a protein source in practical feeds.     

Tissue composition,blood biochemistry and histology of digestive organs in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles fed diets containing different plant protein ingredients

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diets with different plant protein ingredients on proximate composition, tissue metabolites and tissue fatty acid composition, as well as hepatic and intestinal histological modifications in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). Fish (21.5 ± 2.8 g body weight) were fed six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets during 11 weeks. A control diet containing fish meal as the main protein source was compared with five experimental diets replacing 30% fish meal protein by different plant protein sources: soybean meal (SBM), soybean protein concentrate (SPC), soybean protein isolate (SPI), wheat gluten meal (WGM) or pea protein concentrate (PPC). The inclusion of different plant protein did not significantly affect growth and proximate composition of fish. The hepatosomatic index was not significantly different to the control group; however, utilization of WGM significantly increased hepatocyte size. Plasma protein values and muscle triglycerides were influenced by the inclusion of SBM and WGM in the diets respectively. Feeding fish on SBM, WGM and PPC diets significantly enhanced n‐6 fatty acid levels in muscle, particularly linoleic acid. None of the plant protein ingredient used in the diets decreased arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic as well as docosahexaenoic acid values in liver and muscle. Overall, histological studies did not reveal the existence of any intestinal alterations induced by the inclusion of different plant proteins. Despite moderate changes produced by SBM, SPC and WGM, inclusion of dietary plant protein ingredients has no major impact on growth, tissue and blood biochemistry, fatty acid profile and gut integrity of Senegalese sole juveniles.     

Replacement of Fishmeal with Soybean Meal in Male Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticusxO. aureus) Fingerling Diets at a Suboptimal Protein Level

A feeding trial was conducted to study the feasibility of using soybean meal (SBM) to replace fish meal (FM) as a protein source for tilapia feeds containing 24% dietary protein. Replacement levels were 0%, 33%, 67% and 100%. At each replacement level, methionine was either supplemented up to the amount that the 100% FM protein diet contained or not supplemented. The experiment was carried out for eight weeks in a recirculated water system. Fish fed diets in which 100% of the FM was replaced with SBM either with or without methionine supplementation had significantly ( P < 0.05) lower weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein digestibility than that of the groups fed the diets containing FM as the sole source of protein. Also, fish fed diets in which 67% and 33% of the FM was replaced with SBM did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05) from that of the control group. These data suggest that when dietary protein level was suboptimal (24%), up to 67% of the FM protein in tilapin feeds can be replaced by hexane-extracted SBM protein without any adverse effect on tilapia growth and feed conversion ratio.     

Effects of Replacement of Fish Meal by Soybean Meal and Supplementation of Methionine in Fish Meal/Soybean Meal-based Diets on Growth Performance of the Southern Catfish Silurus meridionalis

Two experiments (Experiment I and 11) were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soybean meal (SBM) with or without supplementation of methionine on the growth performance of the southern catfish Silurus meridionalis. Fish were fed isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isoenergetic (20 KJ/g gross energy) diets for 8 wk in a recirculating rearing system. In Experiment I, six diets containing 0.0,11.6, 23.1, 34.7, 46.3, and 57.9% solvent‐extracted SBM as replacement of 0% (control), 13%, 26%, 39%, 52% and 65% fish meal (FM) protein were formulated to examine the effects of dietary SBM on growth performance. Each of the six diets was randomly fed to triplicate tanks, and each tank was stocked with 10 fish (average initial weight 23.78 ± 0.09 g). Fish fed the diets with 13%, 26%, and 39% protein from SBM had significantly higher or similar specific growth rate (SGR) compared with the control group. However, SGR in fish fed the diets with 52% and 65% protein from SBM was significantly lower than other groups (P < 0.05). These results showed that 39% of FM protein could be replaced by SBM protein in diets of the southern catfish without significantly reducing growth. In Experiment II, seven diets were formulated to examine the effects of supplemental methionine on the growth performance of this fish (initial weight of 19.73 ± 0.36 g) fed diets at the two SBM substitution level (SL) for replacing 39% or 52% FM protein. The control diet was the same as that (0% SL) in Experiment I. Three methionine levels (0.00%, 0.12%, or 0.26% at 39% SL, 0.00%, 0.21%, or 0.33% at 52% SL) were separately supplemented to represent two endogenous controls (no methionine supplementation), and to produce diets with the same methionine content as that found in either the body carcass of this fish or the control diet (0% SBM protein), respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences in feeding rate, digestibility and SGR between fish fed the diets with and without supplementation of methionine at 39% SL. However, supplementation of methionine at 52% SL results in significantly higher SGR and feed efficiency (FE) than that of fish fed the diet without supplementation (P < 0.05). It is suggested that the endogenous methionine content in the diet at 39% SL could meet the requirement for the growth, but is insufficient at 52% SL. The results of the present study indicate that methionine is one of the limiting factors in SBM‐based diets to growth of the southern catfish, and supplementation of methionine into diets containing a high content of SBM could improve the growth performance of this fish.     

Effects of replacement of animal protein by soybean meal on growth and carcass composition in juvenile Australian freshwater crayfish

A feed trial was conducted for 59 days with juvenile Cherax destructor, mean weight (se) 0.61 (0.01) g, reared communally and maintained on 16 isoenergetic diets containing crude protein levels of 15, 20, 25, and 30%. For each protein level the fish meal component was replaced by soybean meal to produce diets in which 0, 20, 40, or 60% of the protein originated from soybean meal. Mean percentage weight gain per day ranged from 2.98% (15% protein, 60% soybean meal diet), to 11.75% (30% protein, 40% soybean meal diet). When soybean meal was included at a level of 40–60%, growth rate was reduced relative to that achieved with control diets at 15% and 20% protein levels. In no case did a 20% substitution significantly affect growth over that achieved with controls. A two-way interaction occurred between dietary protein and the level of dietary soybean meal. Feeds of higher protein content appeared to permit higher soybean meal inclusion levels without significantly affecting growth. Increases of 5% protein produced a significant improvement in growth when soybean meal contributed from 40–60% of the total protein. This effect was less pronounced in the control diets and the 20% soybean meal series. The percentages of protein increased and lipid decreased in the carcass as the level of dietary protein increased. A similar effect occurred by increasing the soybean meal substitution level to 60%. An obvious trend in carcass moisture, energy, and ash did not occur. A protein requirement of 30% is apparent when fish meal and soybean meal are included in diets at levels of 20% and 24% respectively. A maximum weight of 14.13 g was recorded for an individual fed the 30% protein, 20% soybean meal diet.     

Evaluation of Low‐protein Alternative Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × Ictalurus furcatus

A study was conducted to evaluate low‐protein traditional or alternative diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, Ictalurus punctatus × Ictalurus furcatus. Three 24% protein diets containing decreasing levels of soybean meal (30, 20, and 15%) and increasing levels of cottonseed meal and corn germ meal were compared with a 28% protein control diet. Hybrid catfish fingerlings (mean initial weight = 71 g/fish) were stocked into 20 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 14,826 fish/ha with five ponds per dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 191‐d growing season. There were no significant differences in total diet fed, net yield, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, or fillet proximate nutrient composition among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.10). However, regression analysis showed for fish fed 24% protein diets there was a linear increase in FCR as soybean meal levels decreased (P = 0.06). Compared with fish fed the 28% protein control diet, fish fed 24% protein diets had lower carcass and fillet yield. Results demonstrate a 24% protein alternative diet containing 20% soybean meal may be substituted for 28% protein diets for hybrid catfish during food fish production.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with soybean meal and peanut meal on growth,feed utilization and haemolymph indexes for juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) and peanut meal (PM) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and haemolymph indexes of juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, Boone. Five diets were formulated: a control diet (FM30) containing 30% fish meal and four other diets (FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5) in which protein from fish meal was substituted by protein from SBM and PM. The dietary amino acids of diets FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5 were equal to those of the diet FM30 by adding crystalline amino acids (lysine and methionine). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (initial weight = 0.48 g), each three times daily. The results indicated that shrimp fed the diets FM15, FM10 and FM5 had poor growth performance and feed utilization compared with shrimp fed the control diet. No difference was observed in feed intake, survival and body composition among dietary treatments. The plasma total cholesterol level of shrimp and the digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy contained in the diets decreased significantly with increasing PM and SBM inclusion levels. Results of this study suggested that fish meal can be reduced from 300 to 200 g kg^?1 when replaced by a mixture of SBM and PM.     

Evaluation of Plant and Animal Source Proteins for Replacement of Fish Meal in Practical Diets for the Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides

Two feeding trials were conducted with juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides to evaluate alternative plant and animal source proteins for their ability to replace fish meal in practical diets. The first trial was designed to identify the most promising candidates. The second trial was conducted to evaluate how much of the fish meal could be replaced by those candidates. In Study 1, feed‐trained largemouth bass (3.1 ± 0.7 g) were randomly stocked into 18114‐L glass aquaria at 25 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed one of six experimental diets, each containing approximately 38% crude protein and 10% crude lipid, to apparent satiation twice daily. The control diet (CTL) contained 30% fish meal and 34.5% soybean meal. Diets 2–6 each contained 15% fish meal and at least 34.5% soybean meal with the remainder of the protein made up of either meat and bone meal (MBM), soybean meal (SBM), poultry by‐product meal (PBM), a 50150 mixture of blood meal and corn gluten meal (BM/CG), or 50150 mixture of hydrolyzed feather meal and soybean meal (FMISBM). There were three replicate aquaria per dietary treatment. After 12 wk, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among treatments in survival which averaged 92% overall. Only fish fed the PBM or BM/CG diets had average individual weights and feed conversion efficiencies that were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the control diet (CTL). In Study 2, the formulation of the control diet (CTL) remained the same. Based on their performance in the first trial, PBM and BM/CG were chosen to now replace 75 or 100% of the fish meal. Fish were stocked at an average weight of 6.9 ± 1.7 g. After 11 wk, fish fed diets containing the BM/CG mixture at both levels were significantly smaller (P 5 0.05) than fish fed other diets and at 100% replacement survival was reduced. Fish fed diets containing poultry meal as the primary protein source performed as well as those fed the control diet (CTL). It appears that PBM can completely replace fish meal in diets for juvenile largemouth bass without adverse effects on growth, feed efficiency, or body composition.     

Effects of partial and complete replacement of soybean meal with cottonseed meal on growth,feed utilization and haematological indexes for mono‐sex male Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fingerlings

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cottonseed meal (CSM) on the growth performance, feed utilization and haematological parameters of mono‐sex male Nile tilapia fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous diets (containing 31.82% crude protein) containing graded levels of CSM to replace SBM protein were fed to triplicate groups of fish. The diets were supplemented with lysine so that they were similar to the control diet. After a 14‐week feeding experiment, the results revealed that up to 75% of SBM could be replaced by CSM without causing a significant reduction in growth. Fish fed the diet highest in CSM had a significantly lower protein efficiency ratio and a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed the other diets. High survival was observed in all the dietary treatments, and no significant difference was observed among treatments. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter and phosphorus decreased significantly with an increase in the dietary CSM level, whereas the ADC of lipid was not affected by the dietary treatment. The hepatosomatic index and the condition factor were significantly affected by the replacement of SBM by CSM. No significant differences were detected in the moisture, lipid and ash content in whole body and muscle samples, but protein in whole‐body samples was significantly affected by the CSM levels. Significant differences were found in the haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell and white blood cell contents in fish fed diets with different CSM levels. Therefore, these findings suggest that up to 41.25% CSM can be used to replace 75% of SBM protein in diets for mono‐sex male Nile tilapia fingerlings without any adverse effects on the growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and haematological indexes.     

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.     

Effects of fish oil and partial fish meal substitution with oilseed oils and meals on growth performance, nutrient utilization and health of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the replacement of dietary fish meal and fish oil with oilseed meals (soybean or canola) and canola oil on growth, nutrient utilization, body composition, diet digestibility and hematological parameters of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Seven diets were used; the control diet (designated FM) contained fish meal and fish oil as the main protein and lipid sources. For the experimental diets, 40% of fish meal protein was substituted with soybean meal, canola meal or a soybean/canola meal mixture, and these diets (designated SM, CM and SCM, respectively) contained fish oil as the lipid source. Three additional diets (SM?+?CO, CM?+?CO and SCM?+?CO) were formulated with the same vegetable protein meals but with fish oil replaced by canola oil. Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation for 11?weeks. The growth of fish fed the CM?+?CO diet was significantly lower than that of fish fed the FM, SCM, SM?+?CO and SCM?+?CO diets. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly better in fish fed the FM and SCM?+?CO diets than in fish fed the CM and CM?+?CO diets. Furthermore, feed intake was significantly lower for fish fed the CM?+?CO diet than in fish fed the SCM diet, and lipid digestibility of the CM?+?CO diet was significantly lower than that of all other diets. No significant differences of body composition were observed. Circulating leukocyte levels, leukocyte ratios and serum lysozyme activity remained unaffected by dietary treatment. However, it was observed that fish fed the CM?+?CO diet displayed hematocrit levels significantly lower (P?<?0.05) than that of fish fed the other diets. The results indicate that when diets contain either fish oil or canola oil, canola meal and soybean meal can be incorporated into rainbow trout feeds at a combined 32% inclusion level (replacing 40% of fish meal protein) without inducing significant negative effects on growth, nutrient utilization or health.     

Inclusion of blue mussel extract in diets based on fish and soybean meals for tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes

Inclusion of the water-soluble fraction of blue mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as a feed additive was examined with tiger puffer Takifugu rupbripes. The control diet mainly consisted of fish meal, potato starch, and pollack liver oil. Experimental diets were formulated to replace 30% and 40% of the fish meal protein with defatted soybean meal (SBM), and were supplemented with 0–20% mussel extracts. Fish of 18 g initial body weight were fed each diet to satiation, twice daily, 6 days per week for 7 weeks at 20°C. Weight gain and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the diet containing SBM without the extract were significantly lower than those of the control at the 30% replacement level. Addition of 5% or 10% extract improved the growth and feed utilization to levels comparable to those of the control. At 40% substitution, statistically identical growth and feed performance to the control were obtained for diets supplemented with 10% or 20% extract; however, performance for 5% addition was significantly lower. Thus, the water-soluble fraction of blue mussels would be an effective feeding stimulant in aquaculture feed for tiger puffer that makes it possible to replace 30–40% of fish meal protein with SBM.     

Effects of Replacing Fish Meal with Soybean Meal in Diets for Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus and Potential for Palatability Enhancement

Two 8-wk feeding trials were conducted with juvenile red drum to determine the maximum levels of soybean meal that may replace fish meal in diets containing 38% crude protein, without reducing weight gain. In the first experiment, fish fed diets containing up to 90% of the protein from soybean meal gained as much weight as fish fed a diet with 100% of protein from fish meal, but fish fed the diet with 100% of its protein from soybean meal gained significantly (P < 0.05) less. Supplementation of glycine and fish solubles individually at 2% (as-fed basis) in diets containing 90% of their protein from soybean meal tended to increase weight gain of fish compared to those fed a similar diet without supplementation. Similar results were obtained in the second experiment, as fish fed diets containing 90% of their protein from soybean meal gained as much weight as fish fed a diet with 100% of its protein from fish meal. Fish fed diets with 95% and 100% of their protein from soybean meal gained significantly less weight than those fed the diet with all of its protein from fish meal. Supplementation of glycine at 2% in the diet containing 95% of its protein from soybean meal significantly improved weight gain of fish relative to those fed a similar unsupplemented diet. Supplementation of fish solubles at 5% of diet on a dry-matter basis provided a nonsignificant increase in weight gain compared to that of fish fed a similar unsupplemented diet. In both experiments there was greater observed consumption of the soybean-meal-based diets than diets with all of their protein from fish meal. A minimum of 10% of protein from fish meal appears necessary in practical diets containing most of their protein from soybean meal to prevent impaired growth and feed efficiency of red drum.     

Growth and nutrient utilization of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell) fingerlings fed diets with varying levels of soybean meal and blood meal

Abstract The Australian native freshwater fish Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii pellii (Mitchell), currently supports a fledgling inland aquaculture industry, which is thought to have considerable growth potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of two alternate protein sources [blood meal (BM) and defatted soybean meal (SBM)] as substitutes for fish meal at various levels of inclusion in diets for juvenile Murray cod. The growth performance of juvenile Murray cod in response to nine isonitrogenous and isocalorific diets (50% protein, 14% lipid, 20.2 kJ g^?1) consisting of a control diet in which protein was supplied from fish meal, and test diets in which the fish meal protein was substituted at levels of 8%, 16%, 24%, and 32% with BM or SBM was evaluated from a 70‐day growth experiment. The per cent apparent dry matter (% ADC_dm) and percentage protein digestibility (% ADC_p) of the test diets were also determined using Cr₂O₃ as a marker. Survival in all the SBM dietary treatments was high but that of fish on the BM dietary treatments was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in all the other dietary treatments. Specific growth rate (% day^?1) of Murray cod fed SBM incorporated diets ranged from 1.63 ±  0.06 to 1.78 ±  0.10 and even at the highest level tested (32% of the dietary protein from SBM) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the fish fed the control diet (1.65 ±  0.09). Feed conversion ratios of the SBM dietary treatments ranged from 1.36 ±  0.08 to 1.45 ±  0.07. The protein efficiency ratios and protein conversion efficiencies of Murray cod in the soybean meal treatments were also good and for a majority of the SBM diets were better than those for the control diet. Per cent ADC_dm and ADC_p of the SBM diets tested ranged from 70.6 ±  1.46 to 72.3 ±  1.81% and 88.6 ±  0.57 to 90.3 ±  0.17%, respectively, and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the control diet (% ADC_dm 74.3 ±  1.63; % ADC_p 91.3 ±  0.55). The reasons for significantly poor survival and growth of Murray cod reared on BM incorporated diets, and relatively poor digestibility of these diets are discussed. The study shows that for Murray cod diets in which fish meal protein is substituted up to 32% performance or carcass composition is not compromised.