Dietary folic acid requirement of fingerling Catla,Catla catla (Hamilton)

The dietary folic acid requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.4 ± 0.17 g; 7.6 ± 0.41 cm) was evaluated by feeding casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (350 g/kg crude protein) and isocaloric (16.72 kJ/g GE) diets containing different concentrations of folic acid (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg) to triplicate groups to apparent satiation at 08:00, 12:30 and 17:30 hr for 16 weeks. Absolute weight gain (AWG; 40.07 g/fish), specific growth rate (SGR; 2.25%), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.53), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 31.42%) and protein gain (PG; 6.74) improved significantly (p < .05) with increasing folic acid levels up to 0.4 mg/kg diet and then reached a plateau. However, maximum liver folic acid concentration increased up to 0.6 mg/kg diet. Dietary folic acid levels also significantly affected (p < .05) body composition of fish. No significant change (p > .05) in haematological parameters except in fish fed folic acid‐free diet was noted. Antioxidant and immune parameters increased with increasing concentration of dietary folic acid up to 0.4 mg/kg diet. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, FCR, PRE, PG, HCT and liver folic acid concentrations of fingerling C. catla against dietary folic acid levels indicated optimum growth, FCR, PRE, PG, HCT and liver folic acid saturation ranging between 0.22 and 0.56 mg/kg diet, respectively.     

Dietary Vitamin C Requirement of Fingerling,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton), Based on Growth,Feed Conversion,Protein Retention,Hematological Indices,and Liver Vitamin C Concentration

This study was conducted to quantify dietary vitamin C requirement of fingerling, Cirrhinus mrigala, (0.79 ± 0.07 g; 3.51 ± 0.15 cm) by feeding casein‐gelatin based purified diets (400 g/kg crude protein; 3.45 kcal/g digestible energy) containing nine levels of vitamin C as l‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate (0.0, 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 75, and 95 mg vitamin C equivalent/kg diet) to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation for 16 wk. Absolute weight gain (AWG, g/fish), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein retention efficiency (PRE%), RNA/DNA ratio, hemoglobin (Hb, g/dL), and hematocrit value (Hct%) were taken as the response criteria to determine vitamin C requirement of mrigal. Fish fed diet with 35 mg/kg vitamin C had significantly higher AWG (9.94 g/fish), FCR (1.39), PRE (27.72%), RNA/DNA ratio (4.18), Hb (11.15 g/dL), and Hct (34.44%) values. However, liver vitamin C concentration was found to be higher (64.92 µg/g wet tissue) in diet containing 45 mg vitamin C/kg. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG data estimated the requirement of 35.65 mg/kg, whereas that of the liver vitamin C concentration data projected the requirement to 41.99 mg/kg.     

Dietary pantothenic acid requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth,feed conversion,liver pantothenic acid concentration and carcass composition

A 16‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary pantothenic acid requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus. Six casein–gelatin‐based diets (450 g/kg CP; 18.39 kJ/g GE) with graded levels of pantothenic acid (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.2 ± 0.71 cm; 4.26 ± 0.37 g) near to apparent satiation. The growth evaluation in terms of absolute weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) indicated the best performance (p < .05) in fish fed diet containing 30 mg/kg pantothenic acid. Highest haemoglobin, haematocrit and RBCs counts were also obtained in fish fed diet with 30 mg/kg pantothenic acid. Mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell volume were found to be lowest in fish fed pantothenic acid‐free diet indicating the anaemia in this group of fish. Superoxidase dismutase and catalase activities of liver tissue were found to improve (p < .05) with the increasing levels of dietary pantothenic acid from 0 to 30 mg/kg. However, liver pantothenic acid concentration responded positively with the increasing levels of pantothenic acid up to 40 mg/kg diet and then stagnation in liver pantothenic acid concentration with the further inclusion of pantothenic acid was recorded. Second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of AWG, FCR and PRE exhibited the pantothenic acid requirement at 36.4, 32.8 and 34.7 mg/kg diet, respectively. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating pantothenic acid‐balanced commercial feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Dietary riboflavin requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth,conversion efficiencies,protein retention,liver riboflavin storage,RNA/DNA ratio and carcass composition

A 16‐week experiment was conducted to determine the dietary riboflavin requirement of the fingerling Channa punctatus (6.7 ± 0.85 cm; 4.75 ± 0.72 g) by a feeding casein–gelatin‐based (450 g/kg crude protein; 18.39 kJ/g gross energy) purified diet containing graded levels of riboflavin (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mg/kg diet) to triplicate groups of fish near to satiation at 09:30 and 16:30 hr. Absolute weight gain (AWG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR, % per day), protein retention efficiency (PRE%) and RNA/DNA ratio were positively affected by increasing concentrations of dietary riboflavin to 6 mg riboflavin per kg diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased up to 6 mg riboflavin per kg diet but did not decrease further with higher riboflavin supplementation. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) concentration also supported the pattern of FCR, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased with increasing concentrations of dietary riboflavin from 0 to 6 mg/kg. Liver riboflavin concentrations increased with increasing levels of riboflavin up to 8 mg/kg diet. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, PRE and liver riboflavin concentrations of fingerling C. punctatus with dietary riboflavin level indicated optimum growth and liver riboflavin saturation at 5.7, 6.1 and 7.7 mg riboflavin per kg diet, respectively.     

Dietary biotin requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch)

ABSTRACT

Dietary biotin requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (4.52 ± 0.46 g) was estimated by conducting a 16-week growth trial. Fish were fed casein gelatin-based purified diets (450 g/kg crude protein, 18.39 kJ/g gross energy) with seven levels of dietary biotin (0, 0.04, 0.09, 0.47, 1.02, 1.43, and 1.96 mg/kg diet) to triplicate groups near to satiation. Significantly higher absolute weight gain (P = 0.0018), specific growth rate (P = 0.0027), protein gain (P = 0.0016), protein deposition (P = 0.0038), and lower feed conversion ratio (P = 0.0003) were shown in fish fed diet containing 0.47 mg/kg biotin, whereas liver biotin concentration showed a significant improvement (P = 0.0021) with increasing levels of dietary biotin up to 1.02 mg/kg. Broken-line analysis of absolute weight gain, protein gain, and liver biotin concentrations indicated that fingerling C. punctatus require biotin at 0.46, 0.44, and 0.97 mg/kg diet. Based on protein gain, optimum pyridoxine requirement for fingerling C. punctatus is recommended at 0.44 mg/kg diet.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Dietary protein requirement for fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch), based on growth, feed conversion, protein retention and biochemical composition

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted in a flow-through system (1–1.5 L min⁻¹) at 27°C to determine dietary protein requirement for Channa punctatus fingerlings (4.58 ± 0.29 g) by feeding six isocaloric diets (18.39 kJ g⁻¹, gross energy). Diets containing graded levels of protein (300, 350, 400, 450, 500 and 550 g kg⁻¹) were fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation at 09:00 and 16:00 h. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG; 8.11 g fish⁻¹), specific growth rate (SGR; 1.82%) and best feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.48) were recorded in fish fed diet containing 450 g kg⁻¹ protein, whereas protein efficiency ratio (PER; 1.52), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 25%), energy retention efficiency (ERE; 78%) and RNA/DNA ratio (3.01) were maximum for the group fed dietary protein at 400 g kg⁻¹. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis of AWG, SGR and FCR data against varying levels of dietary protein yielded optimum dietary protein requirement of fingerling between 462.24 and 476.72 g kg⁻¹, whereas the regression analysis of PER, PRE, ERE and RNA/DNA ratio data showed a lower protein requirement of 438.28–444.43 g kg⁻¹ of the diet. Considering the PER, PRE, ERE and RNA/DNA ratio as more reliable indicators, this protein requirement is recommended for developing quality protein commercial feeds for C. punctatus fingerlings.     

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (Bloch) based on growth,nutrient retention and haematological parameters

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (3.0 ± 0.5 cm; 5.1 ± 0.3 g) was determined by feeding casein‐gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (400 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isocaloric (17.97 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets containing graded levels of l ‐arginine (15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 g kg^?1 dry diet) for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG) (44.4), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.22), highest protein retention efficiency (PRE%) (41%), energy retention efficiency (ERE%) (75%), best condition factor, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index were noted at 21 g kg^?1 arginine of the dry diet. Maximum body protein (189.8 g kg^?1) was also obtained in fish fed above diet. Highest haematocrit value (35%), Hb concentration (9.54 g dL^?1), RBC count (3.44 × 10⁹ mL^?1) and lowest Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (1.93 mm h^?1) were obtained at the above level of arginine in the diet. AWG, FCR, PRE% and ERE% data were analysed using broken‐line and an exponential fit to obtain more precise dietary arginine requirement. On the basis of broken‐line and exponential analyses of AWG, FCR, PRE and ERE data, inclusion of dietary arginine in the range of 20.4–22.6 g kg^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 51–56.5 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is recommended for formulating arginine‐balanced feeds for rearing H. fossilis fry.     

Total sulphur amino acid requirement and cystine replacement value for fingerling rohu,Labeo rohita: effects on growth,nutrient retention and body composition

Two feeding experiments were conducted to quantify the total sulphur amino acid (TSAA) requirement and replacement value of cystine for methionine for fingerling Labeo rohita. In Experiment I, isonitrogenous (380 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (17.90 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets with graded levels of methionine (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 g kg^?1 dry diet) and 0.4 g kg^?1 cystine were fed to fish (4.62 ± 0.2 cm; 0.66 ± 0.1 g) and methionine requirement determined by analysing absolute weight gain (AWG) (5.48), feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.26), protein retention efficiency (PRE%) (39%) and energy retention efficiency (ERE%) (85%) data which were best at 10 g kg^?1 methionine of dry diet. In Experiment II, six diets with different ratios of L‐cystine and L‐methionine on equimolar sulphur basis were fed to fish (4.71 ± 0.1 cm; 0.69 ± 0.2 g) under identical conditions. Maximum AWG (5.58), best FCR (1.24), PRE (41%) and ERE (86%) in fish fed Diet IV indicated cystine replacement value to be 40%. On the basis of the broken‐line and second‐degree polynomial regression analyses of results obtained in Experiments I and II, it is concluded that inclusion of TSAA in the range of 25.2–31.31 g kg^?1 of protein is optimum of which 33–39% could be spared by cystine.     

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

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

Dietary Valine Requirement of Fingerling Catla catla

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary valine requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.50 ± 0.15 cm, 0.63 ± 0.04 g). Seven casein gelatin-based diets (33% crude protein; 3.34 kcal/g digestible energy) containing graded levels of valine (0.51%, 0.69%, 0.91%, 1.12%, 1.31%, 1.49%, 1.71% dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation at 08:00, 12:30, and 17:30 h. Absolute weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR%), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein productive value (PPV), valine retention efficiency (VRE), valine gain (VG), energy retention efficiency (ERE), and carcass protein improved significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing concentrations of dietary valine from 0.51% to 1.12%. Quadratic regression analysis of AWG, PPV, DPD, VG, ERE, and carcass protein at 95% maximum (Y_95%max) response against varying levels of dietary valine yielded the requirement at 1.04%, 1.03%, 1.05%, 1.04%, 1.01%, and 0.98% of dry diet, respectively. It is recommended that inclusion of valine at 1.02% of dry diet, corresponding to 3.09% of dietary protein, is optimum in formulating valine-balanced feeds for fingerling C. catla.     

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

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

Nutritive value of copra cake meal fermented with Rhizopus spp. and its use as a protein source in practical diets for rabbitfish (Siganus javus)

The aims of this study were to evaluate fermentation of copra cake meal with Rhizopus spp. to enhance its nutritive value and to determine the optimum supplementation levels of the fermented meal on the growth performance and feed utilization of the rabbitfish, Siganus javus. Copra cake meal was fermented with Rhizopus spp. and included in four iso-nitrogenous diets at 0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg. Rabbitfish (88.3 ± 1.7 g initial body mass) were fed with the test diets at 2.5%–3.0% of biomass/d for 12 weeks. After fermentation, the crude protein content of copra cake increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 218 ± 16 g/kg (mean ± SD) to 293 ± 4 g/kg, while lipid decreased from around 127 ± 4 g/kg to 60 ± 11 g/kg. Total amino acid content of copra cake meal increased after fermentation from 176 ± 12 g/kg to 207 ± 18 g/kg. Based on the third-order (cubic) polynomial regression, inclusion of fermented copra cake meal (FCCM) in test diets had significant (P < 0.05) effects on all parameters observed except for feed intake and survival rate. Fish fed the FCCM0 and FCCM150 diets had a similar protein retention (PR) but significantly differed (P < 0.05) from the diets containing higher FCCM inclusion rates. The breakpoint of two regressions fitted to specific growth rate (SGR) determined that the optimum inclusion rate is 137 g FCCM /kg diet, and at this level, protein from soybean meal can be included at approximately 315 g/kg diet for grow-out of rabbitfish, S. javus, in floating net cages.     

Dietary Biotin Requirement of Fingerling Catla catla (Hamilton) Based on Growth,Feed Conversion Efficiency,and Liver Biotin Concentration

A 12‐wk experiment was conducted to determine the dietary biotin requirement of the fingerling Catla catla (7.9 ± 0.37 cm; 3.5 ± 0.12 g). Eight diets (35% crude protein, 16.72 kJ/g gross energy) with different levels of biotin (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg/kg diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation. Highest percent weight gain, protein retention efficiency, and best feed conversion ratio were observed in fish fed 0.5 mg biotin per kg diet. However, fish fed diets containing dietary biotin of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg/kg did not show significant (P > 0.05) differences compared to those fed on dietary biotin of 0.5 mg/kg. Hematological indices, including hematocrit value, hemoglobin content, and red blood cell counts were found to be directly proportional (P < 0.05) to the dietary biotin levels up to 0.5 mg/kg, beyond which a plateau was recorded. Pyruvate carboxylase activity (PCA) was also found to increase with the incremental levels of dietary biotin up to 0.5 mg/kg and further increasing dietary biotin concentration led to stagnation in PCA of fish. Liver biotin concentrations responded positively (P < 0.05) until saturation, which occurred at 1.0 mg/kg diet. Broken‐line analysis of percent weight gain, protein retention efficiency, PCA, and liver biotin concentrations demonstrated that fingerling C. catla require biotin in the range of 0.41–0.87 mg/kg diet.     

Phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-supplemented diets based on soya bean (oil-extracted) and full-fat (roasted): A comparison

The effect of microbial phytase on phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus (initial fish body weight 11.55 ± 0.2 g) was tested on two different diets based on oil-extracted soya bean (Experiment 1) and roasted soya bean meal (Experiment 2) using a 5 × 5 experimental design for 84 days. The basal isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets for oil-extracted and roasted soya bean were formulated to replace fish meal at 25% (S1E), 50% (S2E), 75% (S3E), 100% (S4E); and 25% (S1), 50% (S2), 75% (S3), 100% (S4), respectively. Each treatment was replicated four times. Microbial phytase was supplemented in each replicate at 250 FTU/g (P1), 500 FTU/g (P2), 750 FTU/g (P3), and 1,000 FTU/g (P4). Basal controls, which included a fish meal-based diet (S0), were not supplemented with phytase (P0). The result in Experiment 1 showed that there was a significant increase in whole-body protein and reduction in fat with phytase compared to a diet without phytase (P < 0.05). Serum total protein declined significantly with phytase supplementation (P < 0.05). Serum phosphorus and glucose were higher with phytase supplementation compared to control (P < 0.05). Bone minerals declined significantly with increasing level of soya bean compared to fish meal diet (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, serum phosphorus was improved with phytase compared to control with no phytase (P > 0.05). A significant reduction in whole-body protein and increase in fat was observed for fish fed phytase diets compared to diets with no phytase, regardless of soya bean level (P < 0.05); however, ash content was improved with phytase (250 FTU/g) compared to control (P < 0.05). Phytase supplementation improved bone phosphorus (250 FTU/g), calcium (250 FTU/g), magnesium (250–500 FTU/g), and zinc (250–1,000 FTU/g) compared to control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the research has demonstrated that improved bone phosphorus (P) and growth could be achieved with the supplementation of dietary phytase.     

Dietary lysine requirement of fingerling Catla catla (Hamilton) based on growth, protein deposition, lysine retention efficiency, RNA/DNA ratio and carcass composition

A 12-week experiment was conducted to quantify dietary lysine requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.65 ± 0.05 cm; 0.58 ± 0.02 g) by feeding casein–gelatine-based diets (33.0 % crude protein; 14.3 kJ/g digestible energy) with six levels of l-lysine (1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25 and 2.50 % dry diet). The experiment was conducted in eighteen 70-L indoor polyvinyl circular troughs provided with a water flow-through system (1–1.5 L/min). Live weight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein deposition (PD), lysine retention efficiency (LRE%) and RNA/DNA ratio were used as the response criteria. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis at 95 % maximum and minimum response of LWG and FCR data exhibited the lysine requirement between 1.8 and 1.9 % dry diet, corresponding to 5.5–5.7 % dietary protein. Regression analysis of PD, LRE and RNA/DNA ratio yielded the requirement between 1.7 and 1.8 % dry diet, corresponding to 5.2–5.5 % dietary protein. Since live weight gain and protein deposition are the key parameters for estimating nutrient requirement, these tools were used to recommend the lysine requirement of fingerling C. catla which ranges between 1.7 and 1.8 % dry diet. Data generated during this study will be useful to formulate lysine-balanced feed for intensive culture of this fish.     

Dietary histidine requirement of fingerling Catla Catla (Hamilton) based on growth,protein gain,histidine gain,RNA/DNA ratio,haematological indices and carcass composition

To investigate the histidine requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.65 ± 0.15 cm; 0.65 ± 0.36 g), six casein‐gelatin based diets (33% CP; 13.58 kJ g^?1 DE) containing graded levels of L‐histidine (0.25%, 0.39%, 0.53%, 0.67%, 0.83%, 0.96% of the dry diet) were fed near to satiation thrice a day for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG; 8.63 g fish^?1), protein gain (PG; 1.45 g fish^?1), histidine gain (HG, 48.19 mg fish^?1), RNA/DNA ratio (4.15), best feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.31), highest haemoglobin (Hb, 9.61 g dL^?1), RBCs (2.84 × 10⁶ mm^?3) and haematocrit (Ht, 30.12%) were recorded in fish fed diet containing 0.67% histidine. However, broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, PG, HG, RNA/DNA ratio, FCR, Hb, Ht and RBCs against dietary histidine reflected the histidine requirement at 0.65%, 0.64%, 0.63%, 0.68%, 0.63%, 0.66%, 0.68% and 0.65% dry diet respectively. Carcass protein was found to improve significantly (P < 0.05) from 13.36% to 16.42% with the increase in dietary histidine from 0.25% to 0.67%. Based on regression analysis of AWG, PG, HG, RNA/DNA ratio, FCR, Hb, Ht and RBCs, it is recommended that the diet for fingerling catla should contain histidine in the range of 0.63–0.68% dry diet, equivalent to 1.91–2.06% of the dietary protein for optimum growth, feed utilization, blood profile and carcass composition.     

大口黑鲈幼鱼对饲料中锰的需求量

为确定大口黑鲈幼鱼对饲料中锰的需求量,在含锰5.2 mg/kg的半精制饲料中分别添加0、4、8、16、32和64 mg/kg锰(以MnSO₄·H₂O形式),制成6种不同锰水平的饲料(5.2、9.6、13.5、20.7、 38.3和67.9 mg/kg),投喂初始体重(16.00±0.07) g的大口黑鲈幼鱼10周。结果显示,在基础饲料中添加锰,可显著提高大口黑鲈幼鱼的增重率,降低饲料系数,各组增重率与饲料系数在锰含量达到13.5 mg/kg后基本稳定。随饲料中锰含量的增加,血清T-SOD、Mn-SOD活性和全鱼、脊椎骨中的锰含量上升,并在饲料锰含量达到20.7mg/kg后趋于稳定,而血清丙二醛含量则表现为下降的趋势。全鱼铁、骨铁、骨锌和全鱼锰沉积率随饲料锰含量的增加而下降。研究表明,在半精制饲料中补充锰可以促进大口黑鲈幼鱼生长、提高饲料利用率、血清抗氧化能力、全鱼和骨锰的沉积。以增重率、饲料系数、全鱼锰和骨锰为评价指标,经折线回归分析,大口黑鲈幼鱼对饲料中锰的需求量分别为18.3、20.5、21.1和23.4 mg/kg干物质。     

Dietary vitamin E requirement for maximizing the growth,conversion efficiency,biochemical composition and haematological status of fingerling Channa punctatus

The effect of feeding graded levels of vitamin E (E₀, E₂₀, E₄₀, E₆₀, E₁₀₀, E₁₄₀, E₁₈₀, E₂₂₀, E₂₆₀) in nine casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (450 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (17.97 kJ g^?1 gross energy) experimental diets was evaluated in fingerling Channa punctatus for 12 weeks. Growth, nutritional and haematological parameters were studied. Hepatic lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) was also assayed. The maximum absolute weight gain (AWG g/fish, 55), best feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.32), protein retention efficiency (PRE, 40%) and energy retention efficiency (ERE, 76%) were achieved in fish fed on a diet supplemented with 140 mg vitamin E kg^?1 diet (E₁₄₀). A consistent decline in the hepatic TBARS concentration and an improvement in haematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hb) were displayed in fish fed on diets with increasing concentrations of vitamin E up to 140 mg kg^?1 (E₀–E₁₄₀), beyond which (E₁₈₀–E₂₆₀) a reverse trend in these parameters was evident. Based on the broken‐line regression and exponential analyses of AWG, FCR, PRE, ERE, Hb and Hct data, diets for fingerling C. punctatus should contain vitamin E in the range of 140–169 mg kg^?1 to maintain satisfactory fish performance.     

Yellow- and brown-seeded canola (Brassica napus), camelina (Camelina sativa) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) in practical diets for rainbow trout fingerlings

Rainbow trout (initial body weight 2.5 ± 0.3 g; 30 fish/tank; 4 tanks/treatment) were offered either the control diet or one of four test diets. The test diets contained brown seed coat canola (BSC; Brassica napus), yellow seed coat canola (YSC; Brassica rapa), Brassica carinata (Ethiopian mustard; EM), or Camelina sativa (CAM), which were added to their respective diets at a 15% dietary inclusion level. Final weight of fish fed the control (101.0 g) was higher than that of fish fed BSC (80.7 g) and CAM (85.3 g) (P < 0.05). Fish fed the control also gained more weight (98.4g) than fish fed BSC (78.2 g) and CAM (83.0 g) (P < 0.05). Fish fed YSC and EM at a 15% dietary inclusion level had a final body weight and gain that was more similar to the control than fish fed BSC and CAM. Considering the fact that there was no significant difference among treatments for SGR and FCR for the entirety of the trial, all four oilseeds have potential for use in rainbow trout feeds.