Nutritional use of diets by Rana perezi Seoane larvae

Abstract. Larvae of Rana perezi Seoane were reared under laboratory conditions on three compounded diets, three fresh diets and three mixed diets in an attempt to compare the nutritive use and the relative performance of the feeds. The indices of nutritive use help to evaluate the diets. Best digestibility was observed with the fresh diets, although the animals grew slowly. A diet rich in protein (40%), fats, and carbohydrates improved growth rates.     

Optimal dietary lipid level for large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) larvae

A 30‐day feeding experiment was conducted in blue tanks (70 × 50 × 60 cm, water volume 180 L) to determine the effects of dietary lipid levels on the survival, growth and body composition of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) larvae (12 days after hatchery, with initial average weight 1.93 ± 0.11 mg). Five practical microdiets, containing 83 g kg^?1 (Diet 1), 126 g kg^?1 (Diet 2), 164 g kg^?1 (Diet 3), 204 g kg^?1 (Diet 4) and 248 g kg^?1 lipid (Diet 5), were formulated. Live feeds (Artemia sinicia nauplii and live copepods) were used as the control diet (Diet 6). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of tanks, and each tank was stocked with 3500 larvae. During the experiment, water temperature was maintained at 23(±1) °C, pH 8.0 (±0.2) and salinity 25 (±2) g L^?1. The results showed that dietary lipid significantly influenced the survival and growth of large yellow croaker larvae. Survival increased with the increase of dietary lipid from 83 to 164 g kg^?1, and then decreased. The survival of larvae fed the diet with 83 g kg^?1 lipid (16.1%) was significantly lower than that of larvae fed other diets. However, the survival in larvae fed the diet with 16.4 g kg^?1 lipid was the highest compared with other artificial microdiets. Specific growth rate (SGR) significantly increased with increasing dietary lipid level from 83 to 164 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05), and then decreased. The SGR in larvae fed the diet with 164 g kg^?1 lipid (10.0% per day) was comparable with 204 g kg^?1 lipid (9.6% per day), but were significantly higher than other microdiets (P < 0.05). On the basis of survival and SGR, the optimum dietary lipid level was estimated to be 172 and 177 g kg^?1 of diet using second‐order polynomial regression analysis respectively.     

花幼鱼饲料中脂肪水平适宜量的研究

以等量混合的鱼油、豆油作为添加的脂肪源,设计成脂肪水平为1.62%、3.71%、5.77%、7.96%、9.95%和12.01%的6种饲料进行60 d养殖对比试验研究了饲料中花(Hem ibarbus maculatus)幼鱼脂肪水平适宜量。结果显示:花幼鱼饲料中不同脂肪水平对花的相对增重率、饲料系数和蛋白质效率存在显著差异(P<0.05),其中以投喂脂肪水平为7.96%的饲料花的生长最快,相对增重率为(1066.35±13.15)%;以投喂脂肪水平为5.77%的饲料花对蛋白质利用最高,蛋白质效率为(1.84±0.10);以投喂脂肪水平为5.77%的饲料花对饲料的利用最好,饲料系数仅1.39。研究结果表明:花幼鱼饲料中脂肪含量以5.77%~7.96%为最佳,考虑到饲料成本,把花幼鱼饲料脂肪的最适含量定为6%~7%。     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio for bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana

This study aimed to investigate the optimum dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO/L) ratio for bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, containing various CHO/L from 1.20 to 12.11. Bullfrogs were fed six diets for 8 weeks and each diet was tested by three replicates. After the 8 weeks feeding, weight gain and specific growth rate increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased, but showed little difference (P > 0.05) as dietary CHO/L ratios ranged from 1.20 to 2.76. Nitrogen retention was significantly affected by CHO/L ratios, and bullfrog fed with CHO/L 6.10 and 1.82 diets showed the lowest and highest nitrogen retentions respectively. Energy retention increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased and bullfrog fed the CHO/L at 1.82 and 1.20 diets showed the highest value. Whole‐body lipid and energy levels both increased significantly (P < 0.05) as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased. Moreover, liver lipid content of bullfrog fed CHO/L 1.82 and 1.20 diets were significantly higher than that of other groups. Plasma insulin level significantly increased as the elevation of dietary CHO/L. Malondialdehyde level increased as the CHO/L decreased, and the bullfrog fed the CHO/L 1.20 diet had the highest level. In conclusion, the present results clearly showed the effects of dietary CHO/L ratios on growth; the optimum CHO/L is 2.07 (approximately 22.49% carbohydrate and 10.83% lipid) based on the second‐order polynomial regression analysis of weight gain.     

卵形鲳鳗幼鱼蛋白质需要量的研究

为确定卯形鲳鳆（Trachinotus ovatus）幼鱼的蛋白需求量,进行为期8周的摄食生长试验。以鱼粉和豆粕为蛋白源设计6种试验饲料,蛋白质梯度分别为30．32％、35．56％、41．48％、47．86％、51．70％和54．70％。养殖试验在海水网箱中进行,每种饲料投喂3个网箱（1．5m×1．0m×2．0m）,每个网箱放养初始体质量（24．39±0．23）g的卵形鲳鲣30尾。试验结果表明,饲料蛋白水平对卵形鲳够特定生长率（SGR）及饲料效率（FER）有显著影响。随着饲料蛋白水平的升高,试验鱼SGR及FER均显著增加（P〈0．05）,而饲料蛋白水平高于41．38％时,各组无显著差异。饲料蛋白水平为47．86％组的卯形鲳够获得最好的SGR和FER。随着饲料蛋白水平升高,卵形鲳鳢鱼体蛋白质量分数也显著增加（P〈0．05）。根据折线模型确定卵形鲳够适宜的蛋白质需要量为45．75％。     

Optimal dietary taurine level for growth of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

The requirement for taurine in juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was determined by feeding diets containing various levels of taurine and cystine. Test diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of taurine or with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of L -cystine were prepared. The basal diet contained 55% protein from white fish meal. These diets were fed to juvenile Japanese flounder with an initial mean bodyweight of 0.9 g (total length (TL) 48 mm) for 5 weeks. Approximately 1.4% taurine content in the diet was required for optimum growth of juvenile flounder. A positive linear relationship was noted between the content of taurine accumulated in the muscle, liver and brain and the level of taurine in the diet. However, there was no increased taurine content in tissues of fish fed the cystine-supplemented diet. In contrast, the fish fed control and cystine-supplemented diets showed higher contents of cystathionine in the tissues. The concentration of cystathionine in tissues rapidly decreased with an increase of taurine in the diet. It was also observed that for each of the dietary groups, a trace amount of taurine was excreted. These results suggest that the taurine content in the diet affects the sulfur amino acid metabolism of juvenile Japanese flounder, and indicate that juvenile flounder are unable to biosynthesize taurine from cystine.     

Optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell, Babylonia areolate

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell reared in indoor aerated aquaria. Six isoenergetic experimental diets using fish meal, casein and gelatin as protein sources were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (27, 33, 38, 43, 49 and 54% of dry diet, respectively). Triplicate groups of 40 shells (average weight 93.50 ± 1.70 mg) were stocked in 120-l tanks and fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by dietary protein level (P < 0.05). Maximum weight gain, mean protein gain, specific growth rate and soft body to shell ratio occurred at 43% dietary protein level (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and ash content in soft body; except that ash content in shell was not significantly affected by dietary protein level. Pepsin activity in soft body tissue significantly increased with dietary protein level up to 43%, and trypsin-like enzyme activity increased with dietary protein level up to 49%. However, lipase activity in soft body decreased with increasing dietary protein level. However, no significant differences (P < 0.05) in survival, calcium, phosphorus concentration in the shell and soft body were found among dietary treatments. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary protein level indicated that the optimal dietary protein requirement for maximum growth and feed utilization of juvenile ivory shell is 45% of dry diet.     

The optimal dietary protein level of juvenile silver sillago Sillago sihama at three dietary lipid levels

A 5 × 3 factorial growth trial was conducted to evaluate optimal dietary protein and lipid levels (dietary protein level, DP; dietary lipid level, DL) for juvenile Sillago sihama (S. sihama) (2.0 ± 0.02 g, initial weight). Fish were fed 15 diets containing 5 DPs (350, 400, 450, 500 and 550 g/kg) and 3 DLs (60, 90 and 120 g/kg) for 8 weeks. The interaction between proteins and lipids significantly influenced the feed conversion ratio, condition factor, body composition, antioxidant indices and lipase activity (p < .05). DP 450 g/kg showed the highest average final body weight. DPs 500 and 550 g/kg significantly decreased the protein efficiency ratio (p < .05). DL 120 g/kg showed the highest percentage weight gain. The low feed conversion ratio was found in diets P45L12, P55L9 and P55L12. Diet P45L12 showed high superoxide dismutase activities. DP 450 g/kg showed the lowest average malondialdehyde content. Lipase activity was increased by increasing DP (p < .05) with a fall at DP 550 g/kg. Under the present experimental conditions, the optimal DP for S. sihama was 450 g/kg under the DL 120 g/kg.     

Optimal protein level in a semipurified diet for juvenile greenlip abalone Haliotis laevigata

To optimize dietary protein level in relation to growth, semipurified diets with an essential amino acid profile similar to that of the soft body profile were fed for 59 days to young greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata (initial shell length, 15–25 mm). Animals were housed in 10-L acrylic tanks, with flow-through seawater supplied at 1 L min^–1 (20 °C, salinity= 36 g L^–1). Protein level of feeds ranged from 122 g kg^–1 to 461 g kg^–1 crude protein (CP) on an 'as is' basis. Second-order polynomial regression analysis of specific growth rate indicated that maximal growth occurs at 270 g kg^–1 CP. The protein and energy components of the feed were estimated to have a digestibility of 71.7% and 55.6%, respectively.     

Effect of varying dietary protein level in different families of rainbow trout

Groups of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fingerlings from five different families and five inbred groups were fed for 153 days on each of four diets similar in energy content, but differing in their percentage of protein. The protein contents were 24, 33, 42 and 51%, respectively. Significant differences between fish families were found for growth, condition factor, chemical composition of the carcass, and digestibility of protein. At the end of the experiment, interaction between diet fed and family was found close to significance for weight and relative growth rate, and significant for length and condition factor. This interaction indicates that prospects for selectively breeding strains of rainbow trout specifically better able to utilize protein are promising.Fish growth rate increased with increasing dietary protein content. The corresponding condition factor, content of dry matter and energy in the carcass decreased. The high protein diets gave more protein in the carcass and a more discoloured liver than the low protein diets. Apparent protein digestibility increased with increasing protein level.     

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.     

A preliminary study on growth of Crassostrea gigas larvae and spat in relation to dietary protein

Diets of Chaetoceros calcitrans (Paulsen) Takano and Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch containing high or low levels of protein were fed to Crassostrea gigas Thunberg larvae and spat. The 4-day increment in D-larvae shell length was not related to differences in the ash-free dry weight or protein content of the diets at cell concentrations of 75–125 Chaetoceros μl⁻¹. At concentrations of 2–100 Chaetoceros μl⁻¹ the largest growth increment was found when 0.267 μg ash-free dry weight larva⁻¹ d⁻¹ (equivalent to 3.35 Joules · 10⁻³ larva⁻¹ d⁻¹) was filtered at a temperature of 28.1°C.Percentage settlement of C. gigas increased as protein in Chaetoceros, fed at 75–125 cells μl⁻¹ (P < 0.001), and in Tetraselmis, fed at 5–15 cells μl⁻¹ (P < 0.05), increased. Growth of spat during the 14 days immediately after settlement was better on a low-protein than a high-protein Tetraselmis diet (P < 0.001) but differences between Chaetoceros diets were not significant.     

The optimal dietary protein level of large‐size grouper Epinephelus coioides

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the requirement of protein for large‐size grouper Epinephelus coioides (initial body weight: 275.07 ± 1.56 g). Six iso‐lipidic (124 g/kg) diets were formulated containing graded levels of protein (350, 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 g/kg). Grouper was hand‐fed twice daily to apparent satiation with triplicate. The results showed that significantly high weight gain, specific growth rate and significantly low feed conversion ratio were observed in fish fed 450 g/kg protein group. High‐protein level diets significantly increased protein content and significantly decreased lipid content of fish body and muscle. Total protein and cholesterol content in serum of 600 g/kg group were significantly higher than those of 350 g/kg group. However, serum glucose and triglyceride contents of fish fed low‐protein diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed high‐protein diets. Meanwhile, liver glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase and glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase in high‐protein diet groups were significantly higher than those of low‐protein diet groups. The intestinal protease activity in high‐protein diet groups was significantly higher that of low‐protein diet groups, but lipase and amylase showed opposite trend. With the increasing of dietary protein level, the activities of alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme in liver of grouper increased significantly compared with 350 g/kg group, while the activities of acid phosphatase decreased significantly. With specific growth rate as the evaluation index, the optimum dietary protein level of large‐size grouper Epinephelus coioides was 438.39 g/kg by fitting the broken‐line regression analysis.     

Optimum dietary crude protein level for growth in South African abalone (Haliotis midae L.)

A 95‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein level on total body weight gain and protein gain of juvenile (4.89 ± 0.57 g) South African abalone (Haliotis midae). Six semi‐purified diets containing casein, fish meal and cottonseed meal as protein sources, and with crude protein levels ranging from 54.8 to 479.2 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM), were fed to four tanks containing 30 abalone each in a continuous flow system. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in moisture, ash or lipid content of soft‐body tissue as dietary crude protein level increased, indicating that differences (P < 0.05) in soft‐body protein content were solely due to dietary crude protein level. The relationships between dietary crude protein level and total body weight gain and protein gain were analysed by broken‐line and second‐order polynomial regression models. Based on total body weight gain, 358.7 g kg^?1 DM dietary protein from good quality sources is recommended for maximum growth of juvenile H. midae, while, if dietary protein is reduced to 280.7 g kg^?1 DM, growth will be depressed with 5 g kg^?1.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Optimum dietary protein level for maximum growth of juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel)

This experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein level for juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel) fed a white fish meal and casein‐based diets for 8 weeks. Olive flounder with an initial body weight of 4.1 ± 0.02 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the six isocaloric diets containing 35%, 45%, 50%, 55% and 65% crude protein (CP) at a feeding rate of 4–5% of wet body weight on a dry‐matter basis to triplicate groups of 20 fish per aquarium. After 8 weeks of feeding, per cent weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency ratios of fish fed the 55% CP diet were not significantly higher than those from fish fed the 50% and 65% CP diets, but significantly higher than those from fish fed the 35% and 45% CP diets. Fish fed the 50%, 55% and 65% CP diets had significant higher specific growth rates than did fish fed the 35% and 45% CP diets; however, there was no significant difference among fish fed the 50%, 55% and 65% CP diets. The protein efficiency ratio was inversely related to the dietary protein level; that is, maximum efficiency occurred at the lowest dietary protein level. Broken‐line model analysis indicated that the optimum dietary protein level was 51.2 ± 1.8% for maximum weight gain in juvenile olive flounder. The second‐order polynomial regression analysis showed that the maximum WG occurred at 57.7% and it revealed that the minimum range of protein requirement was between 44.2% and 46.4%. These findings suggest that the optimum dietary protein level for maximum growth could be greater than 46.4%, but less than 51.2% CP in fish meal and casein‐based diets containing 17.0 kJ g^?1 energy for juvenile olive flounder.     

两种盐度下凡纳滨对虾饲料中的最适动植物蛋白比

试验研究了不同盐度下（3和22）,以鱼粉和大豆浓缩蛋白为蛋白源,配制6种不同动植物蛋白比的饲料对凡纳滨对虾生长、成活和肝胰腺可溶性蛋白质含量的影响,饲养试验为期40 d。结果显示：（1）饲料动植物蛋白比可显著影响凡纳滨对虾增重率、成活率、肝体指数、肥满度和肝胰腺中可溶性蛋白质含量。增重率随饲料动植物蛋白比升高而升高,但当饲料中动植物蛋白比升至29∶8时,增重率不再明显升高,其它指标均先随饲料动植物蛋白比升高至一定程度,而后则稍有下降;（2）盐度22组对虾的增重率、成活率和肥满度显著高于盐度3组对虾,肝体指数却显著低于盐度3组,不同的盐度对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺可溶性蛋白含量的影响不显著;（3）双因素方差分析结果显示,盐度和饲料动植物蛋白比对凡纳滨对虾增重率、成活率和肝体指数存在显著交互作用,最大值分别出现在盐度22下全动物蛋白饲料组、盐度22下全动物蛋白和动植物蛋白为29∶8的饲料组、盐度3下饲料动植物蛋白比为14∶23的饲料组中;（4）Broken-Line分析表明,3‰盐度下凡纳滨对虾最适饲料蛋白比为29.12∶7.79~30.29∶6.71,盐度22时为26.05∶10.95~29.03∶7.44。结果提示,饲料中氨基酸的组成和含量会随配方中动植物蛋白配比而改变,且不同盐度下凡纳滨对虾对饲料中动植物蛋白比的要求有所不同,但配饵中适当的动植物蛋白比可以满足虾对各种氨基酸的适宜需求。因此,在养殖过程中,需结合实际的养殖环境和饲料蛋白源种类,来设计适宜的实用饲料配方,这样才能达到降低生产成本,提高经济效益的目的。     

饲料蛋白水平对不同规格凡纳滨对虾蛋白质表观消化率和消化酶活性的影响

研究了7个蛋白质水平（32%、34%、36%、38%、40%、42%和44%）饲料对3个规格（Ⅰ：0.6-4.0 g;Ⅱ：4.0-10.0 g;Ⅲ：10.0-18.0 g）的凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）蛋白质表观消化率、肝胰脏蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性的影响。规格Ⅰ对虾投喂36%的饲料组具有最大蛋白质表观消化率（85.61%）,规格Ⅱ和规格Ⅲ均在40%饲料组达到最大蛋白质表观消化率（分别为84.19%和84.67%）且显著高于其他组。规格Ⅰ40%饲料组具有最高的蛋白酶活力（26.67 U·mg-1）且显著高于44%饲料组,32%饲料组淀粉酶活力显著高于其他组,38%-44%饲料组淀粉酶活性无显著性差异;规格Ⅱ36%饲料组具有最高的蛋白酶活力（25.84 U·mg-1）,但各组之间差异不显著,32%-38%饲料组的淀粉酶活力显著高于40%-44%饲料组;规格Ⅲ44%饲料组蛋白酶活力显著高于32%饲料组,42%、44%饲料组淀粉酶活力均显著高于32%饲料组。     

Effect of dietary phospholipid level on the development of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae fed a compound diet

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of dietary phospholipid (PL) levels on survival and development of first feeding gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae. Larvae were fed from day 4 to 23 posthatching with an isoproteic and isolipidic formulated diet with graded levels of PL from 90–150 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM). A dietary PL content of more than 90 g kg^?1 DM seems to be necessary for sustaining growth of first feeding sea bream larvae. The survival rates of larvae fed the formulated diets (31–40% at day 23) were similar to those generally observed in marine aquaculture hatcheries with live prey feeding sequence. However, this high survival rate was not associated with high growth and the larvae showed, at the end of the study, a high proportion of individuals with abnormal liver and calculi in the urinary bladder. It is concluded that although the diets used here cannot be used in total replacement of live preys, they constitute a solid starting point for further nutritional studies with first feeding gilthead sea bream larvae.     

Optimal dietary protein requirement of grouper Epinephelus coioides juveniles fed isoenergetic diets in floating net cages

An experiment to determine the optimal protein requirement of grouper Epinephelus coioides juveniles was conducted in floating net cages (1.5 m × 1 m × 1.5 m). Six isoenergetic fishmeal–casein‐based experimental diets containing 350–600 g kg^?1 crude protein (CP) were fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (10.7 ± 0.2 g) for 56 days. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with increasing dietary protein level from 350 to 450 g kg^?1 and then plateaued above these levels. Feed intake (FI) showed no significant difference among fish fed more than 350 g kg^?1 CP. Lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found for fish fed 500 g kg^?1 CP but this was not significantly different from that of fish fed the 450 and 600 g kg^?1 CP. Lowest protein efficiency ratio (PER) was found for fish fed 550 and 600 g kg^?1 CP. Fish fed the 600 g kg^?1 CP had the highest body protein and moisture contents but the lowest body lipid content. Body ash content was unaffected by protein level for fish fed >400 g kg^?1 CP. Dietary protein level had no significant effect on hepatosomatic index (HSI). Fish fed the 350 g kg^?1 CP had significantly lower condition factor (CF) and viscerosomatic index (VSI). Based on broken‐line regression analysis of SGR the optimal dietary protein requirement for E. coioides juveniles was determined to be close to 480 g kg^?1.