Effect of feeding time on dietary protein utilization and growth of juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The present study aimed to determine the effect of feeding time on growth and nitrogen excretion in juvenile sole. An 84‐day growth trial was conducted, in which food was supplied to three triplicate groups of juvenile Senegalese sole (3 g wet weight) at different schedules – diurnal, nocturnal and mixed. At the end of the growth trial, ammonia and urea excretion was assessed during a 24 h cycle. Improved growth (1.3% vs. 0.9% day^?1, specific growth rate), higher nitrogen retention (0.35 vs. 0.27 g N kg^?1 day^?1), lower ammonia excretion (209 vs. 272 mg N‐NH₄ kg^?1 day^?1) and lower total nitrogen excretion (278 vs. 352 mg N kg^?1 day^?1) were found in daytime‐fed fish compared with night‐fed fish. Fish in the mixed feeding regime showed intermediate values of ammonia and total nitrogen excretion, but did not differ from day‐fed fish regarding the other parameters. Results indicate that juvenile sole at a period of their life cycle appear to use more efficiently dietary protein for somatic growth under a diurnal than under a nocturnal feeding regime. This suggest that at least during a time‐window in the juvenile rearing a diurnal feeding regime might be more effective in the production of this species.     

Physiological stress responses to captivity in early developmental stages of the wedge sole Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau)

The stress responses in early growth stages of the wedge sole have been studied to determine whether the high cortisol levels described in juvenile fish are present from early developmental stages. Whole‐body cortisol, glucose and lactate contents, as well as biometric parameters in wedge sole larvae were measured at three different stocking densities. Stocking density affected growth‐related variables significantly, and larvae in lower stocking densities grew faster. Survival did not significantly differ among treatments. At hatching, the whole‐body cortisol concentration was 0.33 ± 0.01 ng g^?1 and varied significantly from 0 to 30 days after hatching (DAH) for each stocking density, though values remained stable for the remaining time in the low‐stocking density group. These hormone levels rose significantly (5.17 ± 2.43 to 22.10 ± 4.95 ng g^?1) at the end of the experiment, depending directly on the stocking density. Glucose and lactate‐body concentrations did not vary among treatments. We conclude that the stress responses of wedge sole larvae are detectable from 45 DAH and that stocking density already can be a stressor at that age. As described for juvenile stage, cortisol content values in wedge sole larvae under non‐stressful conditions are one of the highest among those reported in the literature. The captivity conditions could be responsible for this apparently stressful situation, though those values also could be normal in wild specimens.     

Larval and juvenile Australian smelt Retropinna semoni somatic and otolith growth parameters – implications for growth interpretation of wild fish

Abstract –  Relationships between fish length, otolith size, age and weight were assessed for a population of wild Australian smelt ( Retropinna semoni ) larvae and juveniles captured over a 4-year period to aid further interpretation of growth and condition during the early life history of the species. Nonlinear smoothed generalized additive models best described the fish–otolith size relationship during the larval and juvenile period, indicating that the proportionality between fish length and otolith size varies in relation to size. It is proposed that back-calculated predictions of fish size at a previous age or otolith size, accounting for individual variation is possible by assuming a body proportional hypothesis. Growth rate of larval and juvenile Australian smelt was best described using the Gompertz model that indicated a steady decline in growth rate after around 30 days of age. The allometric growth of larval and juvenile Australian smelt established from the length/weight relationship can subsequently be used to assess the condition of fish within this population using a relative condition or relative weight condition index. The results of the study have provided significant information to enable more precise growth reconstruction and condition assessment for the species in Australian lowland rivers.     

Glycerol inclusion in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles

The present study evaluated the effects of inclusion of glycerol in the diet of Nile tilapia juveniles on growth performance, biochemical changes in blood, and carcass composition. We used 300 Nile tilapia juveniles with an average initial weight of 29.15 ± 8.40 g and 11.55 ± 0.87 cm in length, distributed in 20 fiberglass tanks with a capacity of 250 L. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications during 79 days. The animals were fed diets containing four concentrations of glycerol (25 g kg^?1, 50 g kg^?1, 75 g kg^?1 and 100 g kg^?1) and a control diet without glycerol. HDL was the only biochemical parameter, that showed statistically different (P < 0.05) results; it was higher in the groups fed with 0 and 75 g kg^?1 glycerol compared to the other groups. No significant difference was observed in the results from the carcass composition of tilapia juvenile fed with the different glycerol levels, except for lipids (P < 0.05), which showed the highest values in fish fed with 50 g kg^?1 glycerol and the lowest in fish fed with 100 g kg^?1. Glycerol can be used in fish diets as an energy supplement without causing damage to growth performance or to the biochemical and carcass composition of Nile Tilapia juveniles.     

Extensive cage culture of pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) in a shallow pampean lake in Argentina

Pejerrey is an important zooplanktivorous native fish of the Argentinean inland waters. It has been traditionally propagated for stocking purposes by relatively costly semi‐intensive and intensive methods. In this study, we evaluated the implementation of an extensive culture method by using floating cages in a shallow pampean lake. Four cages were installed in the Lacombe Lake and stocked with juveniles (16.24 ± 1.69 mm length) at 50 fish m^?3 density for growing until the size of 150 mm, which is considered as a suitable size for stocking. Throughout the experiment, the temperature ranged between 10 and 26 °C and the zooplankton biomass ranged between 12 and 3269 μg dw L^?1. The growth patterns in the length were similar in the four cages and directly related to the lake thermal conditions and zooplankton availability. The average final length after 315 days was 154.4 ± 8.8 mm. The survival rates ranged between 53.5% and 64.7% during the first 110 days and 11.1–25.7% at termination. Growth rate for the first 2 months was the highest documented for pejerrey culture. This simple technique offers the possibility to produce juvenile pejerrey at a low cost and provides the alternative of reinforcing the natural populations with fish already adapted to the natural environmental conditions.     

Optimal dietary protein levels in juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

A study was undertaken to determine the dietary protein level for optimal growth performance and body composition of juvenile Senegalese sole. Five experimental extruded diets were formulated to contain increasing levels of protein [430, 480, 530, 570 and 600 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)] and a constant lipid level, ranging from 100 to 130 g kg^?1 DM. Triplicate groups of 35 sole (initial body weight: 11.9 ± 0.5 g) were grown over 84 days in 60‐L tanks supplied with recirculated seawater. Fish were fed by means of automatic feeders in eight meals per day. At the start and end of the trial, whole‐body samples were withdrawn for proximate composition analysis. At the end of 84 days of experimental feeding, daily weight gain and specific growth rate in fish fed diets P43 and P48 were significantly lower than those found in fish fed higher protein level diets (P53, P57 and P59). Similarly, feed efficiency was also significantly lower in fish fed diet P43 than in fish fed all other dietary treatments. Sole juveniles fed lower protein level diets (P43 and P48) showed a significantly lower protein content than fish fed the higher dietary protein level treatments (P53, P57 and P60). Changes within the tested dietary protein levels did not affect significantly protein productive value or total nitrogen (N) losses in fish. However, daily N gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diets P53 and P60 than in fish fed the lowest protein level diet (P43). Data from the present study indicate that diets for juvenile Senegalese sole should include at least 53% crude protein to maintain a good overall growth performance. Based on a second‐order polynomial regression model, the daily crude protein requirement for maximum whole‐body N gain as estimated here for Senegalese sole juveniles was 6.43 g kg^?1 body weight day^?1 which corresponds to a value of 1.03 g N intake kg^?1 body weight day^?1. If the present data are expressed on a dietary crude protein concentration basis, the allowance for maximum protein accretion (N gain) would be met by a diet containing a crude protein level of 600 g kg^?1.     

菊黄东方鲀当年鱼种养殖阶段消化酶活性研究

为了研究池塘养殖菊黄东方鲀（Takifugu flavidus）鱼种生长及肠组织中消化酶活性随生长的变化,2012年5－11月进行室外养殖试验,池塘面积0.2 hm2,水深1.5～2.0 m,鱼苗体长1.2~1.5 cm,放养密度为22.5 万尾/hm2,试验用海水盐度5~15,水温为15~35℃,pH 8~9;测定当年鱼种不同生长阶段的体长、体质量、肝重、肠长等生长指标,通过生物化学方法测定了其肠组织主要消化酶活性。结果表明,菊黄东方鲀幼鱼体长、体质量与养殖天数均呈指数相关（L=27.07e0.0088t, W=1.0982e0.0262t）;体长与体质量呈幂函数增长相关（W=3×10-5L3.1070）,且为异速生长。不同生长阶段菊黄东方鲀肝体比、比肠长、肥满度的变化显著（P<0.05）;肝体比随生长呈显著上升趋势（P<0.05）,变化范围为4.15%~20.23%;比肠长则呈显著下降趋势（P<0.05）,变化范围为0.97%～2.33%,不同生长阶段肥满度变化为3.99%～5.11%。菊黄东方鲀肠组织碱性蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均随生长呈显著降低趋势（P<0.05）,最大值均出现在养殖40 d（83.11 U/mg与3.13 U/mg）;酸性蛋白酶活性呈先下降、后上升趋势（P<0.05）,最小值（0.34 U/mg）与最大值（0.86 U/mg）分别出现在113 d和166 d;脂肪酶活性随生长变化不显著（P>0.05）。研究表明,菊黄东方鲀鱼种的生长与养殖条件的改变存在密切关系;肝体比、比肠长等与鱼的发育及营养摄入存在一定关系;肠组织不是生成蛋白酶和淀粉酶的主要器官。     

两种养殖模式下黄条鰤幼鱼消化道菌群对生长的微生态调控作用

探究了工厂化、网箱养殖模式对黄条鰤(Seriola lalandi)幼鱼生长性能及消化道菌群的影响, 通过 16S rRNA 高通量测序和生物信息学方法, 分析了两种养殖模式下黄条鰤幼鱼消化道(胃、幽门盲囊、肠道)、饵料及养殖水中的菌群结构特征及其互作关系。结果显示, 本实验条件下, 网箱养殖黄条鰤幼鱼较工厂化养殖鱼生长性能显著提升; 在黄条鰤幼鱼消化道菌群方面, 门水平上的拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和属水平上的拟普雷沃氏菌属(Alloprevotella)、拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)在网箱养殖模式中其丰度值高于工厂化养殖模式, 其中拟杆菌属仅出现于网箱养殖模式且呈现显著性差异; Beta 多样性分析显示消化道菌群更多受到饵料菌群的影响, 受水环境影响相对较小。KEGG 注释分析表明两种养殖模式的差异菌群中, 网箱养殖幼鱼消化道菌群主要参与磷酸转移酶系统 (PTS)和 NOD 样受体信号通路, 而工厂化养殖幼鱼为碳水化合物代谢和类胡萝卜素合成通路。本研究表明, 环境菌群中, 饵料菌群对消化道菌群的影响大于养殖水体菌群; 消化道微生物群落通过调整其组成结构从而改变菌群功能通路的方式, 积极参与两种养殖模式下黄条鰤幼鱼生长机能差异的调控。因此, 网箱养殖鱼表现出更快速的生长性能可能是由于机体内的菌群产生了更多的短链脂肪酸并诱导 IGF-1 等生长相关功能基因的表达, 从而促进机体的营养吸收和生长。本研究预期结果将为黄条鰤专用配合饲料的研制和健康养殖技术开发提供微生态理论支撑。     

Effective replacement of protein‐bound amino acids by crystalline amino acids in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of free amino acids to replace protein‐bound amino acids in diets for Solea senegalensis juveniles. For this purpose, fish with 4.26 g mean initial weight were fed during 55 days with diets containing 500 g kg^?1 protein and 100 g kg^?1 lipid, based on fish meal and fish oil as main protein and lipid sources (control diet), or diets where 20%, 35% and 50% of fish meal were replaced by crystalline amino acids, using L‐lysine HCl as lysine source. To access the efficiency of the crystalline lysine source, another diet was formulated with 35% fish meal replacement but using L‐lysine sulphate instead of L‐lysine HCl as lysine source. Overall, growth performance, feed utilization, nutrient retention, whole‐body and amino acid composition did not show significant differences among groups. In conclusion, up to 50% protein‐bound amino acids can be replaced by crystalline amino acids in diets for Senegalese sole juveniles without negative effects in fish performance. Additionally, it was shown that L‐lysine sulphate and L‐lysine‐HCl may be used interchangeably by Senegalese sole juveniles, with the potential economic benefits involved.     

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.     

Evaluation of pea protein concentrate as partial replacement of fish meal in practical diets for juvenile tench (Tinca tinca L.)

With the aim to evaluate different replacement levels of fish meal (FM) by pea protein concentrate (PPC) on survival, growth performance and body composition of juvenile tench (Tinca tinca), a 90‐day experiment was conducted with 6‐month‐old juveniles. Four practical diets (50% crude protein) differing in the level of replacement of FM protein by PPC protein were tested: 0% (control), 25%, 35% or 45%, corresponding to 0, 207.5, 290.4 or 373.3 g PPC kg^?1 diet respectively. Survival rates ranged from 96.4% to 98.5%. The 25% and 35% replacement diets resulted in similar growth values (P > 0.05) to those obtained with the control diet (average of the three feeding treatments: 57.57 mm total length, 2.48 g weight and 1.87% day^?1 specific growth rate). The 45% replacement diet had the lowest growth (P < 0.05). Fish with externally visible deformities ranged from 0% to 1.5%. 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. An amount of 290.4 g PPC kg^?1 diet (35% replacement of FM protein) can be included in juvenile tench diets without impairing growth performance.     

Osmoregulatory changes in wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata Moreau, 1881) after acclimation to different environmental salinities

The osmoregulatory responses of 20 days of acclimation to environmental salinities of 5‰, 15‰, 25‰, 35‰ and 55‰ were assessed in juveniles of wedge sole ( Dicologoglossa cuneata Moreau, 1881). This sole shows a good capacity to adapt to this range of environmental salinities. A direct linear relationship between environmental salinity and plasma osmolality was observed, with a calculated isosmotic point of 10.4‰ (284 mOsm kg⁻¹). Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in the gills followed a 'U-shaped' relationship with environmental salinity, and a direct linear relationship in kidney tissue. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated in fish held in extreme salinities, and glucose levels were higher only in the group maintained at the highest environmental salinity. In the liver, a decrease in glycogen, lactate and amino acid contents was observed in specimens acclimated to extreme salinities (5‰ and 55‰), suggesting mobilization of liver metabolites. Metabolite levels in white muscle showed a pattern similar to the liver, with lower values in specimens acclimated to extreme salinities. We conclude that wedge sole is strongly euryhaline, but acclimation to extreme salinities comes with an energetic cost.     

基于工厂化养殖的圆斑星鲽生长初步研究

为了解工厂化养殖条件下圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegates)幼鱼的生长特性,在水温9.0~22.5℃时,对圆斑星鲽幼鱼的体长和体质量进行了近1年的测定分析。结果显示:平均体长为(9.29±0.16)cm、平均体质量为(22.11±1.03)g的5月龄左右的圆斑星鲽幼鱼,经1年的人工饲养后平均体长为(36.15±0.36)cm、平均体质量为(647.97±12.54)g,体长与日龄之间呈线性关系L=1.492x+2.350,R2=0.966,其体长平均瞬时增长率为0.12,体长平均月增长量为2.44 cm;体质量与日龄之间呈指数关系Wgc=9.380 e0.264x,R2=0.960,其体质量平均瞬时增长率为0.31,体质量平均月增长量为56.92 g;体长与体质量的回归曲线Wwl=0.030x2.971,R2=0967,幂指数约等于3,表明体质量与体长的立方呈正相关系,为等比生长类型。在工厂化养殖条件下,圆斑星鲽幼鱼的体质量增长量、体质量相对生长率、体质量瞬时生长率与水温变化大体一致,16~18℃时增重较快;反映幼鱼生长阶段的生长指标、生长系数波动较大,没有显示出规律性;体质量与体长呈显著相关,处于负异速生长阶段。     

Water temperature does not affect protein sparing by dietary carbohydrate in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

The effect of dietary protein reduction balanced by an increase in carbohydrate (starch) level on growth performance, feed utilization and intermediary metabolism of Senegalese sole juveniles was evaluated at two temperatures, 12 and 18°C. For that purpose two isolipidic (16% lipids) diets were formulated to contain 550gkg^?1 protein and 90gkg^?1 starch (diet HP:LC), and 450gkg^?1 protein and 200gkg^?1 starch (diet LP:HC). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial body weight: 15.9g) within each temperature. Diets had no effect on growth and feed utilization. Temperature affected growth but not feed efficiency, with fish growing more at 18°C. Fatty acid synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were higher at 12°C than at 18°C while activity of the other measured enzymes was not affected by water temperature. Glucokinase and malic enzyme activities were lower while fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase activity was higher in fish fed the HP:LC diet. Our data suggest that protein can be reduced from 550 gkg^?1 to 450 gkg^?1 by increasing starch level in high lipid diets for Senegalese sole juveniles without affecting overall performance. A reduction in protein content through an increase in dietary starch decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis. Increasing temperature from 12°C to 18°C improves fish growth but does not affect feed efficiency.     

Breeding and juvenile culture of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus Perry, 1810

All seahorse species worldwide have been placed under CITES Appendix II since 2004, because they have been over-exploited for traditional Chinese medicine and aquarium trades. Aquaculture has been recognized as a long-term solution for sustaining the seahorse trade while minimizing wild collection. In this study, we evaluated the breeding and juvenile culture of an important aquarium seahorse species, the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus, Perry 1810. Pairing, mating and copulation behavior were observed. Gestation time and brood size were 17.33 ± 2.94 days and 272.33 ± 66.45 individuals/brood, respectively. Growth rates differed among juveniles from different broods. Effects of temperature on the growth rates and survivorship of the juveniles during the first two weeks were compared. The highest growth rate and survivorship of the juveniles occurred at 28–29 °C among the temperatures tested (24–33 °C). Growth rate and survivorship of the juveniles during the first 9 weeks at 28 °C were investigated. The final standard length and survivorship of the juveniles were 6.32 ± 0.52 cm and 71.11 ± 10.18%, respectively, and the relationship between the wet weight and the standard length of the juvenile seahorses can be expressed as: W = 0.0034 L^2.5535 (r² = 0.9903, n = 12, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that H. erectus is a good candidate for commercial aquaculture.     

Completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) life cycle

Tuna aquaculture is currently dependent on the wild capture of juveniles for production. The development of hatchery technology for bluefin and other tunas would be a major step forward in improving sustainability of their aquaculture. The present study overviews the technology in the life cycle completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) under aquaculture conditions in Kinki University, and the problems to be solved for the establishment of tuna hatchery technology. On 23 June 2002, broodstock of PBT that were artificially hatched and reared spontaneously spawned in captivity. The resulting eggs hatched and were subsequently reared to the juvenile stage. The spawning fish were the result of a research project started in 1987 to rear wild‐caught juvenile PBT that were several months old. Fertilized eggs were obtained from these fish in 1995 and 1996. Resulting juveniles (the artificially hatched first generation) were reared to maturity and spawned in 2002. Over the summer of 2002, 1.63 million eggs from these fish were used for a mass rearing experiment, and 17 307 juveniles were produced and transferred to an open sea net cage. Of these artificially hatched second‐generation PBT, 1100 grew to approximately 95 cm total length and 14 kg body weight in 22 months. This procedure means the completion of PBT life cycle under aquaculture conditions, which was first attained among large tuna species. The problems awaiting solution in PBT hatchery production are their unpredictable spawning in captivity, to improve survival during the first 10 days post hatch, to reduce cannibalism in larval and juvenile stages, and to solve collision problem causing high mortality during the juvenile stage.     

Effect of dietary taurine and lipid contents on conjugated bile acid composition and growth performance of juvenile Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The effects of dietary taurine levels and lipid contents on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth performance of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were investigated. Six types of diet (three different levels of taurine at two different levels of lipid) were fed to juveniles (average body weight, 0.04 g). Fishmeal that was washed with 70% ethanol to remove taurine was used as the sole protein source. Feeding experiments were carried out at 20°C for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiments, fish were weighed and analyzed for free amino acids in the body and the composition of the conjugated bile acids. The body weight and percent weight gain of the juveniles were improved by the dietary taurine supplementation. The taurine contents of the whole body and tissues increased with the increase of the dietary taurine contents. The conjugated bile acids in the gall bladder consisted of taurocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid, which increased with the increase of the dietary taurine level. Taurocholic acid accounted for more than 95% of the total conjugated bile acids. This indicates that taurine is the sole amino acid to conjugate bile acid in Japanese flounder.     

Predator–prey size relationship in siphon cropping between the juvenile stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus and the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea

ABSTRACT:   The purpose of the present paper was to examine the size relationship between the juvenile stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus and the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea , the siphon of which is important prey for the juvenile flounder. Juvenile stone flounder feed mainly on tips of the inhalant siphon of the bivalve. The maximum width of siphon tips in the stomach contents of age-0 fish could not reach that of age-1 fish, although the siphons in age-0 fish became larger as they grew. This size discrepancy indicated a limitation in the size of bivalves available to juveniles. The proportion of total cropping frequency for the siphon of the bivalve by juveniles was estimated according to the bivalve size class. Most bivalves that had cropped siphon tips ranged from 5 to 30 mm in shell length. The total cropping frequency per bivalve was particularly intense on bivalves of 10–25 mm shell length in spite of their small proportion of 24.9% of the total. This frequency intensity indicated that the size of bivalves with cropped siphons by juvenile stone flounder might depend on the ability of juveniles rather than the size composition of the bivalves.     

Effect of dietary taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth of juvenile Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth of juvenile rockfish. Five taurine level diets were made by the supplementation of taurine (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) to a basal diet. Fish meal washed with 70% ethanol to exclude taurine was used for the sole protein source. Feeding experiments were accomplished at 15°C using juvenile fish (initial BW: 13.5 g). Fish were fed the experimental diets for 4 months. At the end of experiments, fish were weighed and stored at ?80°C for analysis of free amino acids and conjugated bile acids contents. The growth performance and feed efficiency of Korean rockfish were improved by taurine supplementation in the experimental diets. The taurine contents of the whole body increased with the increase in the taurine supplementation. The primary conjugated bile acids in gall bladder were taurocholic acid (83.5–165.6 mg mL^?1) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (6.3–20.0 mg mL^?1). Total bile acids increased with increases in dietary taurine. Taurocholic acid content was more than 95% of the total conjugated bile acids. This indicates that taurine is the sole amino acid to make conjugated bile acid in Korean rockfish. Dietary taurine levels improved the conjugated bile acid composition in juvenile Korean rockfish.