Evaluation of tuna by‐product meal as a protein source in feeds for juvenile spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus

This study evaluated the use of tuna by‐product meal (TBM), a locally produced feed ingredient, as a replacement for fish meal (FM) in diets for spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus. Six isonitrogenous compounds [480 kg^?1 crude protein (CP) and isoenergetic diets (21 kJ g^?1)] were formulated to replace 0 (D‐0%), 10 (D‐10%), 20 (D‐20%), 30 (D‐30%), 40 (D‐40% or 50% (D‐50%) of FM protein with TBM protein. Each diet was fed to four replicate groups of spotted rose snapper (initial weight 5.4 g ± 0.04 g) to apparent satiation three times a day. After 8 weeks of feeding, the fish gained 4–5 times their initial weight. Spotted rose snapper fed D‐30% had a significantly higher specific growth rate (2.7% day^?1) than fish fed the other diets containing lower or higher amounts of TBM. Haematological parameters and whole‐body proximate composition were unaffected by diet (P > 0.05). The ADC for protein and energy in D‐0%, D‐20% and D‐30% were significantly higher than those for the D‐40% and D‐50% groups. A broken line model indicated that 262 g kg^?1 TBM in the diet would yield maximum growth of the spotted rose snapper. The results of this study demonstrate that TBM is an acceptable ingredient for replacing 25–30% of dietary protein from FM in spotted rose snapper diets but that higher replacement levels reduce fish performance.     

The potential of pet‐grade poultry by‐product meal to replace fish meal in the diet of the juvenile spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner, 1869)

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to examine the replacement of fish meal with pet‐grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM‐PG) in the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus diet. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of PBM‐PG at proportion of 250, 500, 75 or 900 g kg^?1. The control diet contained sardine fish meal as the main protein source. Four groups of 15 randomly assigned L. guttatus juveniles were fed to satiation 3 times day^?1. Except for the fish fed the PBM‐PG90 diet, the growth performance, survival and feed utilization efficiency of the experimental fish were not significantly lower than those of the control fish. The dietary level of PBM‐PG did significantly affect the haematological characteristics (P < 0.05). The dietary dry matter and protein apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) decreased with increasing dietary PBM‐PG. High values for lipid ADCs were observed in all diets, with significant differences among the dietary treatments. The fish whole‐body protein, moisture, lipid and ash contents were not affected by the inclusion of dietary PBM. These results indicate that high‐quality terrestrial PBM can successfully replace more than half of the marine fish meal protein in the L. guttatus diet.     

Supplementations of poultry by‐product meal and selenium yeast increase fish meal replacement by soybean meal in golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) diet

The effects of poultry by‐product meal (PBM) and selenium yeast (Se‐yeast) supplementations on fish meal replacement by soybean meal (SBM) in the diet of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) were examined. In trial I, a 2 × 3 layout including two PBM levels (100 and 170 g kg^?1) and three levels of fish meal replacement (0, 40 or 60%) was used. At 100 g kg^?1 PBM, fish fed the basal diet exhibited the highest weight gain (WG) and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). At 170 g kg^?1 PBM, no significant differences were found in WG and NRE between fish fed the basal diet and diet with 40% of fish meal replaced by SBM. In trial II, the basal diet containing 170 g kg^?1 PBM (trial I) served as a reference. A 2 × 2 layout included two levels of fish meal replacement (40 or 60%) and two levels of Se‐yeast addition (0 and 1 g kg^?1). No significant differences were found in WG, feed intake, FCR and NRE between fish fed the reference diet and diet with 40 or 60% fish meal replacement plus 1 g kg^?1 Se‐yeast addition. This study indicates that supplementations of PBM and Se‐yeast can enhance the level of fish meal replacement by SBM in golden pompano diet. Dietary fish meal level can be reduced to 140 g kg^?1 by optimizing inclusion of SBM, PBM and Se‐yeast.     

Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients in diets for juvenile hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus

The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus, gross energy and amino acids of 10 selected ingredients for juvenile hybrid tilapia (7.05 ± 0.09 g) were determined using 0.5% Cr₂O₃ as an inert indicator. The feed ingredients tested in this study were corn gluten meal (CGM), corn byproduct, corn germ meal (CG), soybean meal (SBM), fermented soybean meal (FSM), soy protein concentrate (SPC), soy protein isolate, malt sprouts (MS), fish meal (FM) and earthworm meal (EM). The test diets were prepared by incorporation of 30% test ingredients into the reference diet. Reference and test diets were fed to the fish and the faecal samples were collected using a faecal collection column attached to the fish‐rearing tanks. The ADCs for dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus and gross energy were 41.7–98.9%, 90.6–99.6%, 73.1–98.8%, 34.1–98.6%, 49.5–99.6% and 45.4–99.7% respectively. Soy protein isolate, FM and EM had higher dry matter, crude protein and gross energy ADCs. Corn byproduct and EM had higher crude lipid ADCs, and CG and EM had higher phosphorus ADCs. Corn germ meal had the highest ash ADC, while CGM had the highest value for gross energy. The lowest dry matter, crude protein, lipid and gross energy ADCs occurred in MS, while the lowest ash and phosphorus ADCs occurred in SPC. The amino acid ADCs ranged from 83.3% to 100%, exhibiting a positive correlation with crude protein digestibility for a given test ingredient. The feed ingredient digestibility of this study may provide useful information about nutrient and energy utilization to facilitate formulation of least‐cost practical diets for hybrid tilapia.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of selected feed ingredients for dourado Salminus brasiliensis

The excellence of its flesh and fast growth makes the dourado, Salminus brasiliensis , a carnivorous fish native to the Prata basin, a potential candidate for intensive fish farming. This study evaluated the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of energy and nutrients of animal and plant protein sources for the carnivorous Characin dourado S. brasiliensis . Fish (19.5 ± 5.0 g) were stocked in plastic cages (80-L) and fed pelleted test diets containing 30% of the test ingredient [fish meal (FM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), soybean meal (SBM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) plus 70% of a reference diet (481.4 g kg⁻¹ of crude protein and 18.63 kJ of gross energy per gram]. After the last daily meal, cages were transferred to cylindrical, conical-bottomed aquarium (200-L) where faeces were collected by sedimentation in a refrigerated container. Except for ADC of protein and energy, all other ADC of nutrients showed significant differences ( P  < 0.01). ADC values were: 94.3%, 91.3%, 93.1%, and 93.5% for crude protein; 91.0%, 90.3%, 87.8%, and 88.8% for gross energy; 92.1%, 84.5%, 80.6%, and 79.3% for ash; 83.9%, 80.3%, 84.3%, and 84.6% for dry matter; 97.4%, 96.7%, 93.3%, and 91.5% for lipid for FM, PBM, SBM, and CGM, respectively. The average amino acid ADC was: 93.6%, 90.0%, 92.1%, and 92.5% of FM, PBM, SBM, and CGM, respectively. All test ingredients were efficiently used and can partially replace FM in diets for carnivorous dourado.     

Partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal with or without methionine and phytase supplement in diets for juvenile Chinese sucker,Myxocyprinus asiaticus

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of using soybean meal supplemented with or without methionine (M) and graded levels of phytase (P) to replace high‐level (60%) fish meal in the diets for juvenile Chinese sucker. Seven experimental diets (about 430 g kg^?1 crude protein on dry matter basis) were formulated from practical ingredients. The control diet (FM) was formulated to contain 400 g kg^?1 white fish meal (FM), whereas in the other six diets (diets 2–7), soybean meal (SBM) was used to replace 60% fish meal with or without methionine (3 g kg ^?1) and 0,500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 U kg^?1 phytase (designated as SBM, SM, SMP500, SMP1000, SMP1500 and SMP2000, respectively). Results from the feeding trial indicated that SBM without any methionine or phytase supplement replacing about 60% FM significantly affected the growth of fish (P < 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed diet SM was significantly higher than the fish fed diet SBM, but still much lower than fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). SBM with methionine and phytase supplement significantly improved the growth of fish and apparent digestibility coefficients of phosphorus compared with the groups which fed diet SBM and diet SM (P < 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed SMP1000, SMP1500 and SMP2000 had no significant difference than fish fed control diet. Furthermore, fish fed SMP1500 showed optimum weight gain and ADC of phosphorus between these three groups. This suggested that soybean meal with 3 g kg^?1 methionine and 1500 U kg^?1 phytase supplement could successfully replace 60% fish meal in the diet for juvenile Chinese sucker without affecting growth and enhanced the apparent digestibility coefficient of phosphorus.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of selected feed ingredients for juvenile snakehead,Ophiocephalus argus

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids in Peruvian fish meal, poultry by‐product meal, meat and bone meal, spray‐dried blood meal, hydrolysed feather meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal were determined for juvenile snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus) with initial mean body weight of 78.1 g. A reference diet and test diets that consisted of a 70 : 30 mixture of the reference diet to test ingredient were used with 5 g kg^?1 Cr₂O₃ as an external indicator. Fish meal, poultry by‐product meal and corn gluten meal had higher ADCs of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy among ingredients tested. Dry matter ADCs ranged 61.9–81.5% for animal ingredients and corn gluten meal and ranged 52.2–68.0% for soybean meal, peanut meal, cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal. Energy ADCs of ingredients followed similar trends to differences in dry matter digestibility. Protein ADCs of animal and plant ingredients ranged 73.6–92.8% and 75.3–85.6%, respectively. Amino acid ADCs generally reflected protein digestibility. Lipid ADCs were relatively high for the ingredients tested. Phosphorus ADCs of animal and plant ingredients ranged 39.5–65.2% and 38.7–57.1%, respectively.     

Bio‐Ag reutilization of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a substrate for black soldier fly larvae,Hermetia illucens,along with poultry by‐product meal and soybean meal,as total replacement of fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding trial was conducted in a closed system with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles (mean initial weight, 2.66 g) to examine total replacement of menhaden fish meal (FM) with distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which had been used as substrate for the production of black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens, in combination with soybean meal (SBM) and poultry by‐product meal (PBM), with or without supplementation of the amino acids (AA) DL‐methionine (Met), L‐lysine (Lys) and a commercial non‐amylaceous polysaccharide enzyme (Enz) product. Fish were fed seven isoenergetic [available energy (AE) = 4.0 kcal g^?1 of diet] and isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 protein as‐fed basis) practical diets formulated with equivalent digestible protein levels. Diet 1 was formulated to be similar to a commercial, high‐quality, tilapia diet containing 200 g kg^?1 FM. Diets 2–5 were formulated as a 2 × 2 factorial to replace FM with similar contributions from DDGS (45%), PBM (25%) and SBM (2.1–2.9%), but to differ in supplementation of AA and/or Enz preparation. Diets 6 and 7 were formulated to investigate the effects of a 2/3 and 1/3 reduction, respectively, in DDGS contribution to the replacement protein mix, with concomitant increases in SBM, with respect to diet 3, and were balanced with Lys and Met. After 6 weeks, growth responses were slightly attenuated (P ≤ 0.05) and average daily intake (ADI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were slightly higher in tilapia fed DDGS diets 2–5 compared to those of fish fed the FM control diet 1. Growth responses were not significantly affected by the presence or absence of AA or Enz (diets 2–5), or the level of DDGS (diets 3, 7 and 6). Whole‐body proximate composition was not different among treatments. Amino acid profiles of fish fed DDGS diets were not significantly different from those of fish fed the FM control. Evidence of interaction between AA and Enz supplementation was detected in whole‐body amino acid concentrations such that AA content was higher with AA or Enz addition alone, but lower when both were added to the diet. Results suggest that DDGS replacement of FM in tilapia diets can be substantial when diets are formulated on a digestible protein basis and DDGS is combined with highly digestible animal (PBM) and plant proteins (SBM).     

Apparent digestibility coefficient of poultry by‐product meal (PBM) in diets of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) and Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), and replacement of fishmeal with PBM in diets of P. monodon

Nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of pet food grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM) were determined for black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon and Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei by the indirect method (reference diet and test diet at 7:3 ratio). Subsequently, an 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of substitution of fishmeal (FM) with PBM in diets of P. monodon (initial weight = 0.21 ± 0.01 g). In the growth trial, six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets PBM0, PBM25, PBM50, PBM75, PBM100 and PBMA100, containing a gradient of PBM 0, 88.7, 177.4, 266, 354.7 and 354 g kg^?1 to replace 0, 92.5, 185, 277.5, 370 and 370 g kg^?1 FM were fed to four replicate groups respectively. The diet PBMA100 was supplemented with DL‐Met to be similar to PBM0. The results showed that both P. monodon and L. vannamei had relatively high ADC of crude protein (77.6% and 84.2% respectively) and gross energy (72.8% and 84.0% respectively) for PBM. Litopenaeus vannamei showed significantly higher digestion ability for PBM than P. monodon (P < 0.05). In growth trial, no significant difference in growth performance was observed among shrimp fed the experimental diets. DL‐Met supplementation did not improve the growth of P. monodon. PBM is a suitable protein ingredient for P. monodon feeds and can be used up to 354.7 g kg^?1 to totally replaced FM.     

Apparent digestibility of common feed ingredients by juvenile haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.

The digestible energy (DE) content and the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients in common feed ingredients available in Atlantic Canada for haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus, feed formulations were determined. Juvenile haddock (mean weight, 93.9±2.1 g) were held in tanks equipped with fecal collection columns and fed practical fish meal‐based diets for 5 weeks. The experimental diets consisted of a reference diet and six test diets, each containing 30% test ingredient, with all diets being supplemented with chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃, 5 g kg^?1) as the inert digestion indicator. Three marine fish by‐products, herring meal (HM), shrimp meal (SM) and crab meal (CRM) and three plant protein supplements, dehulled soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CAM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) were the test ingredients. The DE content of HM, SBM, CGM, CRM, CAM and SM were 18.3, 18.0, 17.8, 12.4, 10.9 and 8.8 MJ kg^?1 respectively. Protein ADCs were 95.9%, 92.2%, 92.3%, 82.0%, 83.0% and 73.5% respectively. Organic matter ADCs were 95.9%, 89.0%, 72.6%, 68.9%, 58.9% and 54.9% respectively. Lipid ADCs were 97.9%, 83.0%, 57.4%, 62.0%, 87.2% and 55.8% respectively. Based upon its high crude protein content and nutrient ADC and DE content, properly processed dehulled SBM was found to be a good plant protein supplement to partially replace HM in haddock feeds.     

Effects of extrusion processing of feed ingredients on apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of extrusion processing on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, energy and minerals in soya bean meal (SBM), barley, corn gluten meal and whole wheat, using rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss as the test species. In addition, availabilities of amino acids were also determined in SBM. Feed ingredients were preconditioned at 89–93 °C and then extruded using a Wenger X‐85 extruder. Nonextruded ingredients were used as is, meaning that they were not preconditioned. The extruded and nonextruded ingredients were mixed with a casein–gelatin reference diet at 3 : 7 ratio prior to determination of ADC values. A total of 135 trout (initial mean body weight 223.4 ± 12.7 g) were stocked into nine 140‐L fibreglass digestibility tanks with 15 fish per tank. Individual tanks were assigned randomly to each of eight diets made from the four ingredients (extruded and nonextruded) plus the reference diet. After faeces were collected in the first week, the diets were switched among tanks, and faeces were collected again after 5‐day acclimation period in the second week. Yttrium oxide was used as the inert marker. Results showed that extrusion processing significantly improved ADCs of dry matter, crude fat and gross energy, and reduced ADCs of crude protein, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc. Results also showed that the effects of extrusion processing on chemical composition and ADCs of nutrients depended on the ingredients. It is recommended that trace minerals such as copper, iron and zinc be supplemented by an additional 10–20% when rainbow trout diets are extruded because of their reduced bioavailability in plant meal‐based feed ingredients.     

Effect of totally or partially replacing fish meal by alternative protein sources on growth of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) reared in concrete tanks

A 12‐week feeding trial was carried out in concrete tanks to examine complete and partial replacement (75%) of fish meal (FM) with poultry by‐product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and soybean meal (SBM) in practical feeds for African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight ranged from 90.33 to 93.93 g fish⁻¹) were fed seven isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets of 20% digestible protein and 300 kcal 100 g⁻¹ of digestible energy. The control contained 25% herring meal, whereas in the other six diets, PBM, MBM and SBM replaced 75% or 100% of the FM. Final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish fed diets containing PBM (75% and 100%), SBM (75% and 100%) and MBM (75%) were all higher, but not significantly different than those for fish fed the control diet. Replacing 100% of the FM by MBM significantly lowered FBW and SGR. Concerning whole body composition, there were no significant differences in ash and gross energy content of whole‐body among fish; fish fed diets containing PBM‐100% recorded significantly lower protein content compared with the control diet, while fish fed diet SBM‐100% recorded significantly lower moisture content compared with the control diet. Also fish fed diets SBM‐100% and PBM‐75% recorded higher lipid and gross energy contents compared with the control diet. The study revealed that satisfactory growth and feed utilization responses could be achieved through the replacement of FM by PBM, SBM and MBM in the diet of African catfish.     

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

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

Complete replacement of fish meal by porcine and poultry by-product meals in practical diets for fingerling Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: digestibility and growth performance

The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of poultry by-product meal-pet food grade (PBM) and porcine meal (PM) were determined for fingerling male Nile tilapia. ADC for protein were 98.1% and 92.3% in PBM and PM, and 87.1% and 79.4% for energy. PBM and PM were then used as complete replacements for fish meal (FM) in practical diets for Nile tilapia formulated to contain equal digestible protein (300 g kg⁻¹) and energy (16.74 MJ per 100 g) on an as-fed basis. Fingerlings (mean initial weight ±SD, 9.5 ± 0.015 g) were fed for 8 weeks on one of the four diets: FM-, PBM- or PM-based and a commercial feed. The ADC for protein in control and PBM diets (89.7% and 87.9%) were significantly higher than those for the control diet (81.96%). Growth performance and feed utilization were statistically similar between fish fed control and PBM diets, whereas the PM diet exhibited significantly lower performance compared with the control. However, the PM diet showed similar results to the commercial reference diet. Survival and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced by replacement of FM with either PBM or PM. The results indicated that PBM and PM can effectively replace FM in practical diets for fingerling Nile tilapia.     

Amino acid availability from selected animal‐ and plant‐ derived feedstuffs for market‐size sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis)

A study was conducted with market‐size (867 g) hybrid striped bass to determine the nutrient digestibility and apparent amino acid availability of six common feedstuffs. The animal‐protein feedstuffs tested were menhaden fish meal (MEN), anchovy fish meal (ANCH), pet‐food grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM‐pet), and feed‐grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM‐feed), while the plant‐protein feedstuffs were dehulled solvent extracted soybean meal (SBM) and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Test diets consisted of a 70 : 30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (10 g kg^?1%) as the inert marker. Diets were randomly assigned to triplicate tanks of fish that were fed their respective diets for 7 days prior to fecal collection by stripping. Two feeding trials were conducted sequentially to determine the digestibility of the six test ingredients. In trial 1, the three ingredients evaluated were MEN, PBM‐feed, and PBM‐pet. In trial 2, the three ingredients evaluated were ANCH, SBM, and DDGS. Apparent digestibility coefficients of protein (ADC‐CP) were significantly (P < 0.05) different among test ingredients in trial 1 as protein digestibility of MEN (86%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of PBM‐feed (75%), but was not significantly different from that of PBM‐pet (78%). Protein digestibilities in trial 2 were not significantly different among test ingredients and averaged 76% for ANCH, SBM, and DDGS. Some apparent amino acid availability coefficients differed among feedstuffs for both trial 1 and trial 2. MEN provided higher amino acid availabilities for alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, valine, and tryptophan (99%, 98%, 94%, 96%, 99%, and 108%, respectively) when compared to PBM‐feed (73%, 50%, 69%, 80%, 77%, and 91%, respectively) and PBM‐pet (79%, 66%, 81%, 81%, 78%, and 99% respectively). Glycine, histidine, leucine, and proline availabilities in MEN (95%, 96%, 100%, and 98%, respectively) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of PBM‐feed (64%, 82%, 82%, and 57%, respectively), but were not significantly different from PBM‐pet (85%, 92%, 89%, and 80%, respectively). For trial 2, apparent amino acid availabilities for cystine, isoleucine, lysine, and tyrosine were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among treatments fed SBM (100%, 87%, 93%, and 97%, respectively) and ANCH (37%, 95%, 92%, and 84%, respectively) compared to treatments fed DDGS (?13%, 52%, 62% and 62%, respectively). Overall, amino acid availability in SBM and the two PBM’s appear comparable to MEN and ANCH and corroborate their high value as potential replacements for fish meal in sunshine bass diets. However, DDGS provided the lowest availabilities for several amino acids and should be used with caution.     

Replacement of dietary fish meal by soybean meal supplemented with crystalline methionine for Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate soybean meal (SBM) as a fish meal substitute in diets for Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas. In trial I, a control diet (C) contained 400 g kg^?1 fish meal, and 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the fish meal were replaced with SBM, supplied with 3 g kg^?1 DL‐methionine and 2 g kg^?1 L‐lysine (S20, S40, S60 and S80). In trial II, 60% and 80% of the fish meal in diet C were replaced with SBM, supplied with DL‐methionine at 3 g kg^?1 (S60, S80) or 6 to 7 g kg^?1 (RS60, RS80). The feed intake was lower in fish fed diet C than in fish fed diets S20, S40, S60 and S80 (trial I). No significant differences were found in the weight gain, nitrogen retention efficiency and body composition between fish fed diets C, S20, S40 and S60 (trial I), between fish fed diets S60 and RS60 or between fish fed diets S80 and RS80 (trial II). This study indicates that dietary fish meal level for Japanese seabass can be reduced to 160 g kg^?1 by using SBM as a fish meal substitute.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth,body composition and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile Chinese sucker,Myxocyprinus asiaticus

Six isonitrogenous diets (420 g kg^?1 crude protein on dry matter basis) with six levels of soybean meal (SBM) inclusion (0, 112, 225, 336, 449 and 560 g kg^?1) in substitution of fish meal (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were evaluated in Chinese sucker of 1.81 ± 0.01 g initial weight for 8 weeks. There existed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in fish weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate when the replacement level for fish meal protein was increased from 40% to 60%, indicating that up to 40% of fish meal protein could be replaced with SBM protein without causing reduction in growth and protein utilization. Lipid contents in the Chinese sucker body decreased significantly (P < 0.001) as dietary SBM increased. Digestive enzyme activities in the intestine and hepatopancreas of the fish were significantly different (P < 0.001) as the SBM protein replacement level was increased. Results of the present study appear to indicate that 40% FM can be replaced by SBM in practical feeds of Chinese sucker.     

Effect of DL‐methionine supplementation on the success of almost total replacement of fish meal with soybean meal in diets for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus)

This study evaluated the effects of increasing levels of methionine (Met) supplementation on the success of almost total replacement of fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) in diets for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus). Fish were fed for 70 days a FM‐based diet (Diet1‐positive control) or SBM‐based diets supplemented with graded levels of DL‐methionine (Diet2 to Diet7). Contrast in dietary Met, concentration was created by supplementing Diet2‐negative control with 1.2 (Diet3), 2.4 (Diet4), 3.6 (Diet5), 4.8 (Diet6) or 6.0 g kg^?1 (Diet7) of DL‐Met. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein gain and retention efficiency (PER) improved significantly with increasing levels of dietary DL‐Met supplementation. Moreover, nonlinear regression analysis of the effects of supplementing SBM‐based diet with graded levels of DL‐Met indicated that a dietary Met + Cys level of 15.7 and 12.5 g kg^?1 diet (as fed) was required to reach 95% of maximum weight and protein gain, respectively. Supplementation of SBM‐based diet with graded levels of DL‐Met proved an effective strategy in reducing FM content in practical diets for hybrid tilapia. Data also indicate that adjustment of dietary formulas according to currently recommended Met or Met + Cys dietary concentrations is probably limiting maximum growth potential of hybrid tilapia.     

Amino acid availability and protein digestibility of several protein sources for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Apparent amino acid availability coefficients and protein digestibility of four animal products [fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by‐product and feather meal] and four plant protein‐rich products [soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal‐28, cottonseed meal‐38 and corn gluten meal (CGM)] were determined for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Ingredients were incorporated to a practical reference diet at a 7 : 3 ratio (70% of reference diet and 30% of test ingredient). Chromic oxide was used as external digestibility marker. Among animal products poultry by‐product meal (PBM; 89.7%) and FM (88.6%) presented the highest apparent protein digestibility (APD) while MBM (78.4%) and feather meal (78.5%) presented the lowest APD. Among plant protein‐rich products CGM (91.4%) and SBM (92.4%) presented the highest APD values while cottonseed meal‐28 presented the lowest APD (78.6%). Average apparent amino acid availability of feed ingredients was similar to protein digestibility with 92.3%, 89.6%, 73.4%, 80.7%, 88.9%, 84.4%, 91.2% and 79.7% values for SBM, CGM, cottonseed meal‐28 and 38, FM, MBM, PBM and feather meal respectively. These results indicate that O. niloticus is able to utilize efficiently different feedstuffs.     

Digestibility of feed ingredients for the striped surubim Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum

Knowledge on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) is necessary to maximize the feed efficiency, thus lessening dietary nutrient and energy losses. This study tasks the determination of apparent digestibility of selected feedstuff to striped surubim Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum, a carnivorous, South American catfish of economic importance for fisheries and fish culture alike. Juvenile striped surubim (82.4 ± 17.7 g and 23.0 ± 1.6 cm) was distributed in 21 cylindrical, plastic cages (80 L), housed in seven 1000 L feeding tanks under constant water flow and aeration and conditioned to a two daily meals (20h00m and 22h00m) feeding regimen on a practical, reference diet (RD) (460.0 g kg^?1 crude protein (CP); 19.23 kJ g^?1 gross energy (GE)]. Test diets were obtained by adding of 1 g kg^?1 chromium III oxide and 300 g kg^?1 of one the following feedstuffs: fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by‐product meal, feather meal, blood meal, soybean meal, wheat bran, corn and corn gluten meal to the RD. After the last daily meal, fish were transferred to cylindrical, conical‐bottomed aquaria (200 L) under aeration and continuous water exchange, coupled to refrigerated plastic bottles for faeces collection by sedimentation. Best ADC of protein (99.36%) and energy (86.25%) were recorded for poultry by‐product meal and MBM, respectively, which are thus deemed ideal surrogate feedstuffs to FM in the formulation and processing of diets for striped surubim.