Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal and of DL‐methionine or lysine supplementation in pelleted diets on growth and nutrient utilization of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary DL‐methionine addition in fish meal reduction diet for juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). The trial comprises the following of 11 diet treatments. (i) D1 diet as the standard was formulated with fish meal as the main protein source. (ii) D2–D5 diets were formulated to replace fish meal with soybean meal at 60, 120, 180 and 300 g kg^?1, respectively, and the amino acid profiles (including methionine and lysine) of D2–D5 were referred to the amino acid profile of D1. (iii) D6‐D9 diets were the same as D2–D5, respectively, but without methionine supplementation. (iv) D10 and D11 diets were the same as D3 and D5 diets, respectively, but without lysine supplementation. Each diet was randomly fed to groups of 20 fish (initial average weight about 18 g) per net cage (1.0 × 1.0 × 1.5 m) in triplicate and the feeding experiment lasted for 56 days. Weight gain (WG, %) and final body weight (FBW, g) of fish fed D3 diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed D8 and D9 diets (P < 0.05), but without significant differences with fish fed other diets (P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of D3, D4 and D5 diet treatments were significantly lower than that of D11 diet treatment (P < 0.05), but without significant difference with other diet treatments (P > 0.05). Whole‐body protein contents of fish fed D3–D5 were significantly higher than those of fish fed D7–D9 (P < 0.05), but without significant differences with fish fed other diets (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the replacement of fish meal by soybean meal could reach 300 g kg^?1 without detrimental but profitable effect on growth and survival when enough methionine and lysine were supplemented in the diet; moreover, lysine is not the first‐limiting amino acid relative to methionine for juvenile T. ovatus from the present growth and proximate composition results.     

Effects of lysine and methionine supplementation on growth,body composition and digestive function of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed plant protein diets using high‐level canola meal

A 76‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of Lysine and Methionine supplementation on growth and digestive capacity of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed plant protein diets using high‐level canola meal (CM). Fish with initial average weight 103.9 ± 0.6 g were fed three extruded diets. Fish meal (FM) diet was formulated as the normal control with 40 g kg^?1 FM and 300 g kg^?1 CM; CM diet was prepared by replacing all FM with CM (total 340 g kg^?1) without Lys or Met supplementation; CM supplement (CMS) diet was similar to CM diet but was supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) to ensure the levels of Lys and Met similar to those in the FM diet. Feed intake, feed efficiency and specific growth rate of the grass carp fed CMS and FM diets were similar (P > 0.05), but higher than those of the grass carp fed CM diet (P < 0.05). The hepatosomatic index, relative gut length, intestosomatic index and intestinal folds height were significantly improved in fish fed FM and CMS diets as compared to CM diet (P < 0.05). Lower activities of trypsin, lipase and amylase in hepatopancreas were observed in fish fed CM diet (P < 0.05). Three hundred and forty gram per kilogram CM without Lys or Met supplementation significantly decreased trypsin, lipase and amylase mRNA levels in hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the high supply of CM (340 g kg^?1) in plant protein (200 g kg^?1 soybean meal and 100 g kg^?1 cottonseed meal) diets decreased digestive ability through decreasing digestive enzyme activities and enzyme gene's expressions of grass carp, and these side effects can be reversed by supplementing Lys and Met. Therefore, CM could be high level used in a plant protein blend‐based extruded diet for grass carp as long as EAA were supplemented.     

Evaluation of dietary yellow loess as an antibiotic replacer on growth,immune responses,serological characteristics and disease resistance in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

A 12 weeks of feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary yellow loess as an antibiotic (oxytetracycline) replacer in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain no antibiotics or yellow loess (control/CON), three graded levels of yellow loess 5 (YL₅), 10 (YL₁₀) and 20 g YL kg^?1 diet (YL₂₀) and oxytetracycline at 5 g OTC kg^?1 diet. Forty‐five fish averaging 39.4 ± 1.6 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed in to 15 aquaria. Triplicate groups of fish were fed one of the experimental diets at 1.5 ~ 1.9% of wet body weight per day. At the end of the feeding trial, average weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) from fish fed CON diet were significantly lower than those from fish fed YL₁₀, YL₂₀ or OTC diets (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity from fish fed YL₂₀ was detected to be significantly higher than that from fish fed CON diet (P < 0.05). While, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity from fish fed YL₁₀ and YL₂₀ was recorded to be significantly higher than that from fish fed CON diet (P < 0.05). Fourteen days of challenge test with bacteria A. salmonicida showed significantly lower survival rate for CON than those of fish fed other experimental diets. Therefore, these results indicated that dietary yellow loess at 10–20 g kg^?1 could be a promising alternative of oxytetracycline in rainbow trout.     

Effects of various diet formulations (experimental and commercial) on the morphology of the liver and intestine of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three formulated diets: wheat gluten protein‐based diets supplemented with Lys–Gly dipeptide (PP) or free lisine and glycine (AA), and a control diet without lysine supplementation (CON), two commercial starters: Aller Futura (AF), Aglo Norse (AN) and frozen Chironomidae larvae (CH) for on the growth and digestive system development of rainbow trout. The experiment lasted 28 days and survival at the end of the experiment was the highest in the group fed AF (87.9±4.2%) and the lowest in the group fed the CON diet (74.0±4.3%). Fish fed the CON diet showed a significantly lower crude protein content, and the AA group had a significantly higher lipid level (P≤0.05) in body carcass compared with the other groups. The highest density of intestinal goblet cells (P≤0.05) was observed in fish fed the CON diet, while the lowest density was seen in the distal intestine in the AF group. The hepatocyte cytoplasm of all fish stored more glycogen than lipids. These results indicate that wheat gluten protein‐based diets supplemented with dipeptide Lys–Gly (PP) or free lysine and glycine (AA) supported growth, protein efficiency rate and intestine epithelium homeostasis. On the other hand, fish fed CON (lysine‐deficient diet) showed lower survival and growth rate, and disturbances of intestine epithelium homeostasis, probably as a result of lysine deficiency.     

Dietary selenium requirement for on‐growing gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted in a flow‐through system to determine dietary selenium (Se) requirement for on‐growing gibel carp (initial body weight: 76.2 ± 0.05 g, mean ± SEM). Selenomethionine was supplemented to the basal diet to formulate seven semi‐purified diets containing 0.26, 0.58, 0.72, 1.14, 1.34, 1.73 and 2.09 mg Se kg^?1 diet. The results showed that plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased when fish were fed with 0.58 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and then decreased at 2.09 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Plasma T‐AOC activity was higher in fish fed with 0.72 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher in fish fed with 0.26 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). When fish were fed 1.14 mg Se kg^?1 diet, hepatic GSH‐Px, T‐AOC, GSH and CAT activities were significantly higher than those fed with 0.26 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher at 1.34 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Fish liver Se concentrations were significantly higher when fed with 0.72 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and then kept constant when Se ≥ 0.72 mg kg^?1 (P > 0.05). Whole‐body and muscle Se concentrations were higher when fed with 1.34 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and kept a plateau when Se ≥ 1.34 mg kg^?1 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, based on broken‐line regression of hepatic Se concentrations, hepatic SOD activity and hepatic T‐AOC activity, dietary Se requirements for on‐growing gibel carp was 0.73 mg kg^?1, 1.12 mg kg^?1 and 1.19 mg kg^?1 diet respectively.     

Responses of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson) to low‐protein diets and subsequent recovery

A 4‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of low‐protein diets on the growth and amino acid (AA) composition of yellow catfish, and subsequent recovery when the fish were then switched back to the control diet for a further 4 weeks. Three isolipidic and isocaloric diets containing 390 g kg^?1 (Control), 320 g kg^?1 (D320) and 260 g kg^?1 (D260) graded protein levels were evaluated. During the protein restriction period, specific growth rate (SGR) of D320‐and D260‐treated fish was significantly reduced by 20.79% and 29.21% compared to the control fish, respectively (P < 0.05), while significant improvements in protein retention efficiencies were observed in fish fed with the D320 (12.82%) and D260 (19.58%) diets (P < 0.05). The D260‐treated fish had significantly lower (0.87%) whole‐body essential amino acid (EAA) and significantly higher (0.74%) non‐essential amino aci (NEAA) concentrations compared to the control fish. After a 4‐week realimentation, significant increases in the SGR of the protein‐restricted fish were observed. However, no significant differences in the whole‐body EAA or NEAA concentrations among groups were observed (P > 0.05). The results indicate that previously protein‐restricted yellow catfish can compensate completely in terms of final body weight, growth rate and whole‐body AA concentrations.     

Effects of inorganic and chelated trace mineral (Cu,Zn, Mn and Fe) premixes in marine rockfish,Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf), fed diets containing phytic acid

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of trace mineral (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) premixes from inorganic and chelated (chelated to 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methylthiobutanoic acid or hydroxy analog of methionine; Mintrex?, Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO, USA) sources, in rockfish, (Sebastes schlegeli). fed diets containing mineral inhibitor phytic acid. Seven isonitrogenous (46% crude protein/CP) and isocaloric (16.63 KJ available energy per g diet) semi‐purified diets comprising of a Basal control and diets supplemented either with the inorganic (I) or chelated premix (M) at three different levels of 0.75 (I_0.75/M_0.75), 1.5 (I_1.5/M_1.5) and 3 (I₃/M₃) g kg^?1 diets were formulated. Twenty‐four fish averaging individual wet body weight of 9 ± 0.2 g (Mean ± SD) were fed one of the experimental diets in quadratic group for 16 weeks. Average weight gain (WG) of fish fed M₃ was significantly higher than that of fish fed Basal control and I_1.5 diets (P < 0.05). Whereas, data for the liver and whole body trace mineral contents showed a higher Cu and Zn saturation among fish fed M₃ and M_1.5 diets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hepatic Cu‐Zn super oxide dismutase (Cu‐Zn SOD) activity was recorded to be highest for fish fed M₃ diet. Whereas, hepatic thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) value was lowest in fish fed M₃ diet (P < 0.05). Challenge test with E. tarda showed an improved disease resistance among the fish fed different levels of trace mineral premixes. Therefore, these results demonstrated a higher efficiency of chelated compared to inorganic source of trace mineral premixes in marine rockfish.     

Effects of dietary essential amino acid deficiencies on the growth performance and humoral immune response in silvery‐black porgy (Sparidentex hasta) juveniles

A 6‐week feeding trial was conducted for determining the effects of dietary essential amino acids (EAA) deficiencies on growth performance and non‐specific immune responses in silvery‐black porgy juveniles (4.7 ± 0.1 g initial weight). Eleven isoproteic (ca. 47%) diets were formulated including a control diet containing the optimum quantity of EAA, and ten EAA‐deficient diets. All diets contained 36% fish meal and 18.5% crystalline EAA and non‐essential amino acids (NEAA) as the main source of dietary proteins. All the EAA and NEAA incorporated in the crystalline amino acids mixture of the control diet simulated the amino acids profile of the fish meal. The other 10 EAA‐deficient diets were formulated by the deletion of each of the 10 EAA (crystalline form) from the control diet and replaced by a mixture of NEAA for the adjustment of dietary nitrogen contents. At the end of the experiment, fish fed with threonine‐deficient diet showed the lowest survival rate (p < .05), whereas growth performance decreased in fish fed all EAA‐deficient diets, although the reduction in body growth varied depending on the EAA considered. Plasma total protein decreased in all experimental groups except for fish fed the phenylalanine‐deficient diet. Fish fed with arginine‐ and lysine‐deficient diets had the lowest plasma C3, C4, lysozyme, total immunoglobulin and total superoxide dismutase activity (p < .05). Present results indicated that lysine, methionine and threonine were the most limiting EAA in terms of growth performance; however, arginine, threonine and lysine were the most limiting EAA for innate immunity responses in silvery‐black porgy juveniles.     

Evaluation of feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed diets with varying inclusion levels of corn gluten meal

A nutrition trial with striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles was undertaken to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary fishmeal (FM) protein with corn gluten meal (CGM). A diet with FM as the main protein source was used as the control diet (FM). Five experimental diets (approximately 320 g kg^?1 crude protein) were formulated to progressively replace 20% (CGM20), 40% (CGM40), 60% (CGM60), 80% (CGM80) and 100% (CGM100) of FM protein. Fifteen fish per tank (initial weight 11.2 ± 0.6 g) were randomly distributed into 18 80‐litre fibreglass tanks connected to a closed recirculation system (temperature 30.3 ± 1.0 °C). The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. The final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets CGM20, CGM40 and CGM60 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the FM diet. Feed intake (FI) tended to decrease with increasing dietary CGM level. Striped catfish fed FM, CGM20 and CGM40 had significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with fish fed CGM80 and CGM100 (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets was significantly lower than those of all other treatments (P < 0.05). Total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) excretion increased with elevated dietary CGM inclusion. The viscerosomatic index (VSI) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other treatments. The crude lipid content in the final body composition of the striped catfish was elevated significantly with increasing dietary CGM levels. Fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets displayed haematocrit levels significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. The haemoglobin content in fish was significantly higher in fish fed CGM20 and lower at CGM100 compared to fish fed the FM diet. The results of the present trial indicated that the optimum level of FM protein replacement with CGM determined by quadratic regression analysis was 25.1% on the basis of maximum SGR.     

The effect of dipeptide,Lys‐Gly,supplemented diets on digestive tract histology in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three formulated diets: wheat‐gluten‐protein‐based diets supplemented with Lys‐Gly dipeptide (LG) or free lysine and glycine (FL), a control diet without lysine supplementation (C) and commercial starter Bio Oregon (BO) for on the growth and digestive system morphology of yellow perch. After 48 days of experimental feeding, fish fed LG diet showed the highest body mass. Fish fed LG diet showed the highest number of gastrin/cholecystokinin positive cells and the lowest number of CD3‐positive cells. The brush border of anterior intestine was the most PepT1 immunopositive in fish fed LG diet, the weakest in fish fed C diet. The largest hepatocytes were observed in fish fed BO, while the smallest in those fed FL diet, the difference being statistically significant. Relative hepatocyte cytoplasm volume occupied by lipids was higher in fish fed BO and FL compared to those fed C and LG. Number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐positive hepatocyte nuclei did not significantly differ among experimental groups. These results indicate that wheat‐gluten‐protein‐based diets supplemented with dipeptide Lys‐Gly (LG) were appropriate for yellow perch.     

Effectiveness of l‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate as an ascorbic acid source for sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the adequate dietary ascorbic acid (AsA) levels and the effects on growth, meat quality and antioxidant status of sea cucumber (10.04 ± 0.06 g), Apostichopus japonicus. l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate (35% AsA equivalent) was supplemented separately to the basal diet to obtain five AsA levels, 0, 598, 1473, 4676 and 14340 mg kg^?1 diet respectively. After 60‐day feeding trial, the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 598 and 1473 mg AsA kg^?1 showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain and specific growth rate values than the sea cucumbers fed control diets. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 1473 and 4676 mg AsA kg^?1 showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) hydroxyproline contents than those of the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0 and 598 mg AsA kg^?1. Antioxidant enzymes such as total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase showed increasing trends with the increasing dietary AsA levels, but no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed when the sea cucumbers fed diets with high dietary AsA levels. The content of malondialdehyde had the opposite trend of antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, the adequate dietary AsA level focusing on growth performance of sea cucumber is between 598 and 1473 mg kg^?1 diet. Furthermore, high level of dietary AsA (between 598 and 4676 mg kg^?1 diet) improved meat quality and antioxidant status.     

Influences of dietary distillers dried grain level on growth performance,body composition and biochemical parameters of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary distillers dried grain (DDG) level on growth and body composition of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Five diets (designated as DDG0, DDG7, DDG14, DDG21 and DDG28) were prepared to contain 0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 g kg^?1 DDG. Three replicate groups of fish averaging 11.6 ± 0.1 g were fed one of the diets for 8 weeks. Weight gain of fish fed diets containing 70–280 g kg^?1 DDG was not different to that of fish fed DDG0 diet (P > 0.05). Feed efficiency of fish fed DDG21 and DDG28 diets was lower than that of fish fed DDG0 diet (P < 0.05). The antioxidant enzyme and digestive enzyme activities were not affected by dietary DDG levels. The results of this experiment suggested that DDG is a valuable ingredient as a candidate to replace wheat flour in the diet and could be used up to 280 g kg^?1 for the growth of olive flounder. On the other hand, if lower feed efficiency of fish fed 210–280 g kg^?1 DDG is considered, up to 140 g kg^?1 DDG in diet is recommended for optimum feed utilization of fish.     

Evaluation of poultry by‐product meal as partial replacement of fish meal in practical diets for juvenile tench (Tinca tinca L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate different replacement levels of fish meal (FM) by poultry by‐product meal (PBM) on survival, growth performance and body composition of juvenile tench (Tinca tinca). A 90‐day experiment was conducted with 5 month‐old juveniles (31.95 mm total length, 0.396 g weight). Eight practical diets (50% crude protein) differing in the level of replacement of FM protein by PMB protein were tested: 0% (control), 25%, 31%, 37%, 43%, 49%, 55% and 61% corresponding to 0, 184.8, 229.2, 273.5, 317.8, 362.1, 406.5 or 450.8 g PBM kg^?1 diet respectively. Significant differences were not found (P > 0.05) between 25% replacement of FM protein by PBM protein (184.8 g kg^?1 PBM in diet) and control diet. At higher replacement levels, fish had significantly lower growth, higher feed conversion ratio and lower protein productive value (P < 0.05). Fish with externally visible deformities ranged from 1.1% to 3.3%. The relation among amino acid profiles of the diets, body composition, growth performance of juveniles and amino acid requirements of other fish species is discussed. Up to 184.8 g PBM kg^?1 diet can be included in diets for juvenile tench without impairing growth performance.     

Preliminary study on effects of methionine hydroxy analog and taurine supplementation in a soy protein concentrate‐based diet on the biological performance and amino acid composition of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)]

A feeding trial was conducted on the effects of methionine hydroxy analog (MHA) and taurine supplementation in diets with high levels of soy protein concentrate (SPC) on the growth performance and amino acid composition of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) comparing with fish meal based diet. The control diet had 520 g kg^?1 fish meal. In the methionine deficient diets (5.1 g kg^?1), fish meal was replaced by 490 g kg^?1 of the SPC in the SPC49 diet. The SPC49 diet was supplemented with either MHA (6 g kg^?1) only or a combination of MHA and taurine (2 g kg^?1). Fish were fed isoproteic (460 g kg^?1) and isolipidic (130 g kg^?1) diets for 12 weeks. Growth performance (i.e. weight, feed conversion ratio, and thermal‐unit growth coefficient) was inferior in fish fed the SPC49 diet. MHA supplementation improved growth performance (P < 0.05). No difference was observed when taurine was added to the SPC49 and MHA diet (P > 0.05). Whole‐body taurine contents increased with taurine supplementation, whereas plasma methionine increased with MHA supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the substitution of fish meal with SPC supplemented with MHA did not negatively impact growth, and the addition of taurine did not improve growth performance in rainbow trout.     

Dietary amino acid l‐methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch‐1974) estimated by growth and haemato‐biochemical parameters

An 8 weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.08 ± 0.95 cm; 4.33 ± 0.52 g). Six isonitrogenous (40%) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 0.25 g 100 g^?1containing graded levels of _L‐methionine (0.30, 0.55, 0.80, 1.05, 1.30 and 1.55 g 100 g^?1, dry diet) with 0.40 g 100 g^?1 constant level of cystine. Twenty fish were stocked in triplicate groups, in 75‐L circular trough with continuous flow‐through system and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily, at 08:00 and 18:00 hours. Maximum live weight gain (296%), best feed conversion ratio (1.56) and protein efficiency ratio (1.60) were occurred at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine, beyond which they showed declining tendency. However, quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirement for methionine at 1.15, 1.08, 1.06 and 1.05 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05), higher whole body protein content, minimum moisture and intermediate fat contents were recorded at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 dietary methionine level. Ash content remained insignificantly (P > 0.05) low among all the treatments, excepting at diet I and diet II. Body protein deposition was also found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine level. Best somatic and haematological indices values were also obtained at the requirement level. Based on above results, it is recommended that the diet for young H. fossilis should contain methionine at 1.09 g 100 g^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 2.73 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein with 0.40 g 100 g¹ cystine concentration for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization. Thus, the total sulphur amino acid requirement of H. fossilis would be (1.09 + 0.40) 1.49 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 3.73 g 100 g^?1 of dietary protein.     

Effects of dietary copper sources on growth,tissue copper accumulation and physiological responses of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) (Cuvier, 1828) fed semipurified or practical diets

An 8‐week trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a chelated copper (Cu) with the inorganic Cu (CuSO₄), in the diet of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Six diets were prepared based on two basal diets (semi‐purified or practical) at two Cu inclusion levels (0 and 4 mg kg^?1 from or chelated‐Cu), accordingly named as S0, SI4, SM4, P0, PI4 and PM4 respectively. Each diet was fed to quadruplicate groups of Japanese sea bass (initial weight: 65.0 ± 0.03 g) during the trial. Fish fed practical diets had higher feed intake, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rate (PER), liver Cu accumulation, liver Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase and plasma alkaline phosphatase, but lower hepatosomatic index than the groups fed semi‐purified diets (P < 0.05). Higher PER was exhibited by fish fed chelated‐Cu diets than that of fish fed CuSO₄ diets (P < 0.05). Although liver Cu accumulation was significantly higher in fish fed practical diets,, liver Cu content increased significantly with increasing dietary copper levels only in fish fed semipurified diets. Chelated‐Cu has higher efficiency than CuSO₄ when fed in practical diets. Poor growth performance of fish fed semipurified diets might induce underestimating the nutrient requirement of Japanese sea bass.     

Substituting fishmeal with mixtures of wheat,corn and soya bean meals in diets for the white leg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone): effect on production parameters and preliminary economic assessment

We analysed the effect on production and economic performance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei of isoproteic diets substituting fishmeal by 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% with mixtures of wheat, soya bean and cornmeals. In a laboratory trial, 10 juveniles m^?2 (1.1 ± 0.1 g) were reared in 60‐L plastic containers using a recirculation system for 90 days. Three replicates were used to test each diet. A commercial diet serving as a reference and the diet with the highest content of essential amino acids (50% substitution, 6.46 ± 1.1 g) produced significantly higher shrimp final weight (7.12 ± 0.9 g, P < 0.05). There were not significant differences in specific growth rate and mean survival (85.9 ± 0.2%, P > 0.05). In a pond trial, 10 shrimp m^?2 (1.08 ± 0.3 g) were cultivated in 1.5 m^?3 cages for 35 days, testing the diets in triplicate. Final weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when 100% substitution was used (10.89 ± 0.24 g), while survival did not differ significantly among diets (P > 0.05). The optimal level of substitution was estimated at 86.0%. Apparently, nutrients contained in the diets combined well with natural feed available in the pond, up to a point where 7.3% of fishmeal inclusion is recommended. An economic analysis showed that 100% substitution produced the best results. We conclude that mixtures of wheat, corn and soya meals are potential alternatives to replace fishmeal effectively in diets for L. vannamei.     

Effects of dietary ethoxyquin on growth,feed utilization and residue in the muscle of juvenile Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus

Ethoxyquin (EQ) is the most common synthetic antioxidant used for preventing rancidity in fish foodstuffs. However, literature related to the effects of dietary EQ on performance of fish was limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of EQ on performance and EQ residue in muscle of juvenile Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus and to estimate the optimal EQ concentration in the diet. Graded levels [0 (control), 50, 150, 450 and 1350 mg EQ kg^?1 diet] of EQ were added to the basal diet, resulting in five dietary treatments in the experiment. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of seabass (initial body weight 8.01 ± 0.76 g) for 12 weeks in floating sea cages (1.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 m, 30 fish per cage). Survival ranged from 78.9 to 86.7%, and was irrespective of dietary EQ levels. The specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets supplemented with ≤50 mg kg^?1 EQ had significantly (P < 0.05) higher SGR than fish fed diets supplemented with ≥150 mg kg^?1 EQ, the highest SGR was observed in fish fed diet with 50 mg kg^?1 EQ supplementation. Feed intake (FI) and feed efficiency (FE) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among dietary treatments. Fish fed diets with 50 and 1350 mg kg^?1 EQ had a significant (P < 0.05) lower body lipid content than fish in the control group. Muscle EQ level significantly increased when dietary EQ increased. Optimal EQ concentration estimated by polynomial regression based on maximum growth of juvenile Japanese seabass was 13.78 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Dietary phosphorus requirement of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared in freshwater

A study was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary available phosphorus for GIFT strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six purified diets were formulated to contain graded levels (0 (control diet), 2.9, 4.8, 7.6, 9.1 and 10.9 g kg^?1 diet) of available phosphorus. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 12 fish with initial average weight (46.03 ± 2.14) g for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish fed the three lowest phosphorus diets (0, 2.9 and 4.8 g kg^?1) had significantly lower weight gain rate, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency than those fed the other diets (P < 0.05). The survival rate of fish fed the control diet was significantly lower than that of the fish fed the other diets (P < 0.05). Whole body viscerosomatic index and crude lipid content decreased significantly with increasing dietary available phosphorus levels (P < 0.05), while the contents of crude ash, calcium, phosphorus in the whole body and vertebrae showed the opposite trend (P < 0.05). The blood chemistry analysis showed that dietary available phosphorus had significant effects on serum phosphorus concentration, enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone level. Quadratic curve analysis based on SGR indicated that the minimum dietary requirement of available phosphorus for maintaining optimal growth of tilapia was 8.6 g kg^?1.     

Effect of graded levels of dietary thiamine on the growth performance,body composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters of juvenile Sclizothorax prenanti

This study was conducted to determine dietary thiamine requirement of juvenile Sclizothorax prenanti and evaluate the effect of dietary thiamine levels on growth performance, body composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters for this fish species. The seven experimental diets were formulated to contain the graded levels of thiamine (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 100 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively), providing the actual dietary thiamine values of 0.31 (control), 9.82, 21.49, 29.83, 41.66, 62.24 and 114.58 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively. Each diet was assigned to three replicate groups of S. prenanti (initial body weight: 13.46 ± 0.28 g, means ± SD) for 60 days. Increasing dietary thiamine level up to 21.49 mg kg^?1 diet increased weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (P < 0.05), beyond which they remained nearly unchanged. Similarly, hepatic thiamine concentration and several serum biochemical parameters (transketolase activity, triglyceride and total cholesterol contents) increased with increasing levels of thiamine up to 21.49 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and, thereafter, remained almost constant. However, no significant differences in body composition (moisture, protein, lipid and ash contents) were found among dietary thiamine treatments (P > 0.05). Analysis by the broken‐line regression of WGR, SGR, FE, PER, hepatic thiamine concentration and serum transketolase activity indicated that dietary thiamine requirements in juvenile S. prenanti were 18.45–25.91 mg kg^?1 diet.