Dietary pyridoxine promotes growth and cellular metabolic plasticity of Chanos chanos fingerlings exposed to endosulfan induced stress

An attempt was made to assess the effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation on growth performance and cellular metabolic enzymes of Chanos chanos fingerlings under endosulfan induced stress. Two‐hundred and twenty‐five fish were randomly distributed into five treatments, each with three replicates and fed four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine for 45 days. Endosulfan concentration in the water was maintained at sublethal level of 1/40th of 96 h LC₅₀ (0.52 ppb). Dietary pyridoxine supplementation significantly enhanced growth performance viz. weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of fish compared to control diet fed group. The results of this experiment revealed that the activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were significantly improved after feeding with dietary pyridoxine supplementation in C. chanos. Significantly increased muscle and brain ascorbic acid content was observed in fish fed diets containing pyridoxine. Histological studies on liver of fish fed pyridoxine‐supplemented diet showed the normal architecture of hepatocytes compared to non‐pyridoxine fed group. The results obtained in this study revealed that the inclusion of pyridoxine in diet has a protective effect against endosulfan induced stress in C. chanos fingerlings through metabolic enzyme activities and vitamin C content. This study has a potential in ameliorating the toxic effect of endosulfan induced stress using dietary supplementation of pyridoxine.     

Comparison of pathological changes due to deficiency of vitamin C, vitamin E and combinations of vitamins C and E in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

Abstract. Young rainbow trout were fed diets containing different combinations of ascorbyl-monophosphatc (vitamin C) and all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) for 31 weeks. The fish fed a diet deficient in both vitamins exhibited a high mortality and were anaemic after 8–12 weeks. Histopathological examination revealed a severe muscular dystrophy and splenic haemosiderosis. Fish fed a diet deficient in vitamin C but high in vitamin E developed the typical signs of vitamin C deficiency after 16–20 weeks, including reduced growth rate, haemorrhages and gill alterations as well as severe deformations and fractures of the vertebral column. A diet deficient in vitamin E but high in vitamin C led to splenic haemosiderosis after 20 weeks. At the end of the experiment, this group showed significantly decreased haematocrit, haemoglobin content and red blood cell numbers and increased spontaneous erythrocytc haemolysis. In a second experiment, older fish of the same origin were fed diets containing high or low levels of ascorbyl-monophosphatc and all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, respectively, for 23 weeks. The results were qualitatively the same as in the first experiment, but the onset of mortality in fish fed the diet deficient in both vitamins occurred later (weeks 18–23) and deformations of the vertebral column were absent. Haematocrit, haemoglobin content and red blood cell numbers were significantly decreased in the group fed the diet deficient in both vitamins and crythrocyte haemolysis was increased in both groups receiving a vitamin E free diet, the diet deficient in both vitamins having a more pronounced effect. The results of these two experiments indicate that there is an interrelation between vitamins C and E in rainbow trout. Possible mechanisms are discussed.     

Nicotinic acid supplementation of diets for the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Semi-purified diets containing 39% crude protein and 5% lipid were used to identify the qualitative requirement of African cattish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), for niacin and to characterize the pathologies associated with a deficiency of this vitamin. After 48 days of feeding, C. gariepinus supplied with the unsupplemented diet had developed severe deficiency symptoms and were subsequently withdrawn from the growth study. Niacin deficiency was characterized by feed refusal, listlessness, weight loss, poor feed utilization and high mortality. The skin overlaying the lateral line of the deficient fish became haemorrhagic and this clinical sign was accompanied by severe anaemia. After 126 days of feeding, fish fed diets containing 17.0 mg niacin kg^?1 had also developed a dermopathy. but without anaemia or high mortality. The feeding of diets containing less than 33.1 mg niacin kg^?1 resulted in suboptimal feed efficiency and poor protein utilisation. Allometric analysis of proximate composition indicated that carcass moisture, protein and ash were influenced by fish size, and not by dietary niacin content. However, significantly more lipid per unit of weight gain was deposited in the carcasses of fish fed the unsupplemented diet than in fish fed diets containing 17.0mgkg^?1. The indicators used in the present study could not be applied to accurately determine a value for niacin requirement. However, until a more accurate assessment is performed, it is recommended that diets for C. gariepinus contain not less than 33.1 mg nicotinic acid kg^?1 feed.     

饲料中不同维生素A含量对花鲈生长和血清生化指标的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,鱼油和豆油为脂肪源,糊精为糖源并添加氨基酸混合物配制精制基础饲料,通过向基础饲料中添加维生素A醋酸酯使饲料中的维生素A含量达到0、1 000、2 000、4 000、8 000和16 000 IU/kg(实测含量为245、1 005、1 835、3 781、7 583和15 273 IU/kg),配制出6种等氮等能的实验饲料(饲料1～6).以花鲈为实验对象,在室内流水系统中进行为期9周的生长实验,探讨精制饲料中不同维生素A含量对花鲈生长和血清学生化指标的影响.结果表明:摄食不添加维生素A组(饲料1)饲料的花鲈在养殖后期表现出较高的死亡率,并出现眼球浮肿、膨胀、鳍基充血以及鳃盖扭曲等维生素A缺乏症,而在其他维生素A添加组(饲料2～6)并未出现类似症状.体成分分析表明:饲料中不同维生素A含量会显著增加花鲈体脂肪含量,但对蛋白质和水分的含量没有显著影响.对花鲈血清指标分析表明:饲料添加维生素A含量会显著增加花鲈血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、甘油三酯(TG)和胆固醇(TC)含量,但显著降低丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活力.采用折线模型,当以增重率为评价指标时,花鲈对饲料中维生素A的需求量为1 934.8 IU/kg;当以肝脏维生素A含量为评价指标时,花鲈对饲料中维生素A的需求量为3 546.6 IU/kg.     

Growth performance of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,fed diets containing levels of pyridoxine and haematological response under heat stress

In order to assess the effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation on the growth performance of Nile tilapia and the haematological response under heat stress, 192 fingerlings (8.41 ± 0.22 g) were randomly distributed into eight tanks and fed practical diets supplemented with increasing levels of pyridoxine (0.0; 5.0; 10.0 and 20.0 mg of pyridoxal HCl kg^?1 diet) for 91 days. The fish were then weighed and the diet was quantified to determine the growth performance [weight gain (WG), feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency rate, protein retention (PR) and survival percentage]. Haematological analyses (red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, total leucocyte and differentiation, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio) were carried out and then 32 fish were transferred and subjected to heat stress (32 °C) for 3 days, after which the haematological parameters were analysed. The fish fed the unsupplemented diet showed the lowest WG and PR. For the normal growth and health of the Nile tilapia, the Pyridoxine requirement in a practical diet is 10.0 mg of pyridoxine HCl kg^?1.     

The prevention of liver lipoid degeneration (ceroidosis) and microcytic anaemia in rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson fed rancid diets: a preliminary report

Abstract. Feeding a rancid diet deficient in Vitamins C and E to 13 g rainbow trout resulted in growth depression, microcytic anaemia and liver lipoid degeneration. Trout fed the rancid diet containing Vitamins CandE grew as well as control fish fed a non-rancid diet and did not develop microcytic anaemia or liver lipoid degeneration, The symptoms that developed in deficient fish are typical of those resulting from Vitamin E but not Vitamin C deficiency. The results suggest that Vitamin E is important in preventing growth depression, microcytic anaemia and liver lipoid degeneration in rainbow trout fed rancid diets.     

Ascorbate-2-sulfate as a dietary vitamin C source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): 2. Effects of dietary levels and immunization on the metabolism of trace elements

Atlantic salmon fingerlings were fed a vitamin C deficient diet for four months. The fish were then provided a dry, practical fishmeal based diet supplemented with 0, 500 or 5000 mg vitamin C/kg as L-ascorbic acid or equivalent amounts of ascorbate-2-sulfate. After six weeks on these diets ten fish in each group were injected with a soluble antigen (NIP₁₁-LPH). Six weeks thereafter blood, liver, kidney, spleen and vertebrae were examined for trace elements. The livers were also analysed for metallothionein. The vitamin C deficient fish were anemic despite the significantly elevated iron concentrations in the liver. Vitamin C had no positive effect in lowering tissue levels of cadmium. The highest level of dietary vitamin C given as ascorbic acid reduced the liver selenium concentrations. In response to antigen injection, the fish in all groups showed increased levels of hepatic metallothionein, copper, zinc and cadmium, while hepatic selenium and iron levels were less affected. The elemental composition in other organs was affected by the antigen injection to a minor extent.     

维生素K3对草鱼生长、体成分和凝血时间的影响

以酪蛋白和脱脂豆粕为蛋白源,糊精为糖源,玉米油和豆油为脂肪源的半纯化饲料为试验饲料,研究了维生素K3对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)成活、生长、体成分、血清中钙磷含量及凝血时间的影响。试验饲料中的维生素K3共设7个添加梯度,分别为0,0.5,1.0,2.0,5,10,20mg/kg,每一梯度设3个重复,每个重复60尾初始体重3.5g左右的草鱼,在(25.0±3.0)℃的流水系统中养殖11周。结果表明:维生素K3对草鱼增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、成活率和体成分均没有显著性影响(P>0.05);维生素K3对血清中的钙磷浓度也无显著性影响;凝血时间显著性受饲料中维生素K3含量影响,饲料中缺乏维生素K3会延迟凝血时间。对饲料中维生素K3含量和草鱼凝血时间进行折线回归分析表明:草鱼幼鱼饲料中维生素K3适宜的含量为1.9mg/kg。     

中国对虾对维生素B2、B5、B6营养需要的研究

研究了三种水溶性维生素Ｂ２，Ｂ５和Ｂ６在以酪蛋白为蛋白源的饲料中的不同含量对中国对虾的存活率，体重增重率，体长增长率，蛋白质消化率及实验维生素在体内的累积量等方面的影响。结果表明，在每１００ｇ饲料中维生素Ｂ２、Ｂ５和Ｂ６的含量分别在１０（体重１．５３ｇ）－２０ｍｇ（体重６．００ｇ）、４０ｍｇ、１４ｍｇ时，上述指标均达最佳，维生素缺乏或过量都会阻碍对虾生长，在适宜添加量范围中，随着饲料中维生素Ｂ６的     

Influence of dietary vitamin B6 on tissue vitamin B6 contents and immunity in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., (14 g) were fed a practical fish-meal-based diet supplemented with 0. 10, 20. 40, 80 and 160 mg pyridoxine (PN) per kg feed for 20 weeks. Tissue vitamin B₆ contents were significantly reduced in fish fed the non-supplemented diet compared with fish fed PN-supplemented diets. Serum haemolytic complement activity and head kidney lysozyme activity, and the specific antibody response following immunization with Vibrio salmonicida. were not influenced by the dietary regimes. Challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida showed that increasing the dietary levels of vitamin B₆ did not improve the resistance to furunculosis. Growth, mortality and haematology were not affected by supplementing a practical diet with vitamin B₆ In conclusion, feed levels of vitamin B₆ higher than the minimum dietary requirement did not enhance immune functions and disease resistance in Atlantic salmon.     

Comparative effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on some growth and plasma biochemical changes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during cadmium exposure

Phytobiotics include a large number of active components which potentially have a growth‐promoting effects and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on growth and plasma biochemical parameters of common carp exposed to cadmium. Fish (34 ± 3 g) were divided into four groups and fed four distinct diets including commercial diet without any additive (for control and metal only group) and supplemented with either 1% ground Shirazi thyme or 100 mg kg^?1 vitamin E for 45 days. At the end of the feeding trial, all treatments except control group were exposed to sub‐lethal concentration of waterborne cadmium for 15 days and sampling was done on days 0, 7 and 15 after the metal exposure. According to the results, dietary inclusion of thyme prevented the harmful effects of cadmium and also improved fish growth and nutritional indices including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and condition factor. Results also revealed that Shirazi thyme was more effective than vitamin E. Similarly, no changes in the hepatosomatic, viscerosomatic and bile somatic indices were observed. Plasma enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) and metabolites were not altered due to thyme supplementation compared to the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1% ground Shiraz thyme improved the growth and health status of fish and showed better hepatorenoprotective properties than vitamin E during waterborne cadmium exposure in common carp juveniles. It might be conceivable to consider Shirazi thyme as a potential phytobiotic for incorporation in fish diet.     

Effects of dietary pyridoxine on disease resistance,immune responses and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary pyridoxine on disease resistance, immune responses and intestinal microflora of fish. A total of 1050 Jian carp (11.71 ± 0.05 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups, feeding diets containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0.2, 1.7, 3.2, 5.0, 6.3, 8.6 and 12.4 mg kg^?1 diet). After 80 days of feeding, a challenge trial was conducted by injection of Aeromonas hydrophila for 17 days. Results indicated that with increasing dietary pyridoxine concentration up to 5.0 mg kg^?1 diet, survival rate after challenge with A.hydrophila and phagocytic activity of leukocyte were improved (P < 0.05), and plateaued thereafter (P > 0.05). Red blood cell and white blood cell counts were lowest when fed the diet containing 1.7 mg pyridoxine kg^?1 diet. Haemagglutination titre, lysozyme activity, acid phosphatase activity, total iron‐binding capacity, antibody titre and immunoglobulin M content followed the similar pattern to that observed with survival rate. Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts in intestine were not affected by dietary pyridoxine concentration (P > 0.05). These results suggested that pyridoxine could enhance immune response of fish.     

Dietary vitamin C requirement of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the minimum dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile red drum and characterize signs of vitamin C deficiency. Semipurified diets containing 400 g crude protein kg^–1 from lyophilized red drum muscle and crystalline amino acids were used in the feeding trial. The basal diet without supplemental vitamin C contained ≈ 6 mg vitamin C kg^–1 and was fed for a 1-week conditioning period. Red drum, initially averaging ≈ 3.6 g each, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 150 mg vitamin C kg^–1 as ascorbate polyphosphate for a period of 10 weeks. Fish fed the basal diet began to exhibit overt signs of vitamin C deficiency, including reduced weight gain, lordosis, scoliosis and loss of equilibrium after 8 weeks. Total ascorbate was undetectable in liver of fish fed the basal diet while liver ascorbate levels in fish fed the other diets generally reflected dietary supplementation. Regression analysis of weight gain data using the broken-line model resulted in a minimum vitamin C requirement ( ± SE) of 15 ± 3 mg kg^–1 diet.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on the growth performance,antioxidant ability and innate immunity of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson)

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance, antioxidant status and innate immune responses in juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (44% crude protein and 7% lipid) were formulated to contain six graded dietary vitamin C (ascorbate‐2‐poly‐ phosphate, ROVIMIX^® STAY‐C^® 35) levels ranging from 1.9 to 316.0 mg kg^?1 diet. The results of present study indicated that fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet had lower weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) than those fed the diets supplemented vitamin C. WG and SGR did significantly increase with dietary vitamin C levels increasing from 1.9 to 156.5 mg kg^?1. However, no significant increase was observed with further dietary vitamin C levels increasing from 156.5 to 316 mg kg^?1. Survival, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by the dietary vitamin C levels. The activities of serum superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase significantly increased when dietary vitamin C levels increased from 1.9 to 156.5 mg kg^?1, fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet had higher serum malondialdehyde content than those fed the diets supplemented with vitamin C. Fish fed the diet containing 156.5 mg kg^?1 vitamin C had the highest lysozyme, total complement activity, phagocytosis index and respiratory burst of head kidney among all treatments. The challenge test with Aeromonas hydrophila indicated that lower cumulative survival was observed in fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet. Analysis by broken‐line regression of SGR and lysozyme activity indicated that the dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile yellow catfish was estimated to be 114.5 and 102.5 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Pyridoxine deficiency of grouper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus coioides</Emphasis>: physiological and biochemical alteration

Pyridoxine is essential for animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pyridoxine deficiency symptoms and the fit dose of pyridoxine to keep normal physiological function in grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 mg pyridoxine kg⁻¹ diet) were fed to grouper juveniles (14.83±0.31 g) for 8 weeks, and then some physiological and biochemical parameters were measured. Pyridoxine deficiency symptoms such as anorexia, poor survival, convulsion, helically swimming and hyperirritability were observed in fish fed the pyridoxine-deficient diet, and these fish also showed low whole blood haemoglobin level, liver glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Slight symptoms of pyridoxine deficiency also appeared among fish fed the diet with very low dose (1 mg pyridoxine kg⁻¹ diet) of pyridoxine in 6 weeks. Broken-line regression analysis showed that the optimal pyridoxine levels for these fish to keep normal survival, whole blood haemoglobin level, liver GPT and SOD activities were approximately 1.75, 1.87, 2.22 and 2.05 mg kg⁻¹, respectively.     

Dietary Vitamin C Requirement of Hybrid Striped Bass Morone chrysops♀× M. saxatilis ♂

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis . Fish were fed a semi-purified basal diet with 40% crude protein and an energy to protein ratio of 8 kcal/g for a conditioning period of 2 wk. This diet which was not supplemented with vitamin C contained approximately 6-mg vitamin C/kg. Following conditioning, fish (approximately 0.55 g initial weight) were stocked as groups of 20 in 38-L aquaria and fed the basal diet and experimental diets supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 150-mg vitamin C/kg as ascorbate polyphosphate for a period of 10 wk. Fish fed the basal diet and the diet supplemented with 10-mg vitamin C/kg exhibited signs of vitamin C deficiency including suppressed weight gain, reduced plasma and liver ascorbic acid levels, and abnormalities in isthmus cartilage formation. Plasma and liver ascorbic acid levels generally reflected dietary supplementation with the lowest levels occurring in fish fed the basal diet and higher levels in fish fed the supplemented diets. The minimum dietary requirement (±SE) based on non-linear least squares regression analysis of weight gain was 22 (±6) mg vitamin C/kg diet.     

Effects of Dietary Vitamin A on Juvenile Red Sea Bream Chrysophrys major

A 55-d feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A on growth of juvenile red sea bream Chrysophrys major . Nine semi-purified diets with supplemental retinol palmitate at levels of 0, 300, 600, 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, 6,000, 15,000 and 30,000 retinol eq/kg diet, were fed twice daily to triplicate groups of 10 juveniles per tank with an initial weight of 1.178 ± 0.001 g. Weight gain and specific growth rate increased with the increase of supplemental retinol palmitate in the diet up to a level of 6,000 retinol eq/kg diet, beyond which those indices tended to decrease slightly or to plateau. Significantly lower weight gain and specific growth rate were observed in fish fed with 0 and 300 retinol eq/kg diet. No significant differences were found in survival rates among the different levels of supplementation. The crude protein, lipid, moisture and ash contents in the whole body were not affected by the different vitamin A supplemental levels. Besides the reduced growth, fish fed with low levels of vitamin A supplement showed no other signs of deficiency. No hypervitaminosis A symptoms were observed in fish fed on high levels of supplementation. Fish fed on diets with 0 and 300 retinol eq/kg diet showed a significantly lower content of vitamin A (as a total retinol) in the liver than those in groups fed with higher levels of supplementation. Vitamin A was stored in the liver mainly as retinyl esters. Total retinal content of the eye showed no significant differences among the treatments; however, fish fed with 0 and 300 retinol eq/kg of diet had slightly higher concentrations. According to the results of the mean weight gain, specific growth rate and liver retinol content, the requirement of dietary vitamin A for juvenile red sea bream was estimated to be between 1,500 and 6,000 retinol eq/kg.     

Pyridoxine Requirement of Fingerling Red Hybrid Tilapia Grown in Seawater

Red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × 0. niloticus) fingerlings were fed purified diets supplemented with pyridoxine hydrochloride at levels of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg/kg diet for 10 weeks. Fish fed the diet without pyridoxine supplementation developed abnormal neurological signs, anorexia and convulsions followed by muscle spasms and lethargy after 9 days. These conditions progressed rapidly, and heavy mortality occurred at the end of week 2. Severe caudal fin erosion and mouth lesions were observed during the 3rd week. None of these symptoms were seen in fish fed pyridoxine-supplemented diets. At the end of 14 days, fish fed the pyridoxine-deficient diet had the lowest weight gain and poorest feed conversion (P < 0.01). Hematocrit values measured at the end of weeks 2, 6, and 10 were also consistently lower for fish on this treatment. Fish fed pyridoxine-supplemented diets for 10 weeks did not differ with regard to weight gain, feed conversion, and hematocrit. Histological study of various tissues revealed no apparent abnormalities in any of the treatment groups. It was concluded that 3 mg of pyridoxine/kg diet was sufficient for maximum growth, feed efficiency and survival, and prevention of various deficiency signs in red hybrid tilapia fingerlings grown in sea water.     

Nutritional deficiency disease in an Indian major carp, Cirrhina mrigala Hamilton, due to avitaminosis C during early growth

Abstract. Experiments with a purified vitamin test diet on newly hatched Cirrhina mrigala Hamilton, a major carp of great piscicultural importance, are reported. Experimentally induced vitamin C deficiency for 330 days was followed by recovery treatment for 30 days. Retarded growth and greater mortality accompanied by structural deformities such as lordosis and scoliosis, increasing with prolonged deficiency, were recorded. Haematological and haematopoietic studies revealed hypochromic macrocytic anaemia accompanied by anisocytosis. Correlated studies on erythropoiesis revealed increased reticulocytes and an overall decrease in small lymphoid haemoblasts. Total and differential leucocyte counts revealed leucopenia and thrombopenia accompanied by an increase in neutrophils and eosinophils. Recovery treatment halted and in some cases even compensated these pathophysio-logical changes to some extent.     

Dietary vitamin E could improve growth performance,lipid peroxidation and non‐specific immune responses for juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to establish the dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia. The basal diet was supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 mg vitamin E kg^?1 as all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. The results indicated that fish fed the diets supplemented vitamin E had significantly higher specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, feed efficiency and survival rate than those fed the basal diet. It was further observed that vitamin E concentrations in liver increased significantly when the dietary vitamin E level increased from 13.2 to 124 mg kg^?1. Fish fed the basal diet had significantly higher thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances concentrations in liver than those fed the diets supplemented vitamin E. Fish fed the diets supplemented with 45.7 and 61.2 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had significantly higher red blood cell and haemoglobin than those fed the basal diet, while fish fed the diets supplemented with 61.2 and 124 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had higher immunoglobulin concentration than those fish fed the basal diet. Lysozyme and superoxide dismutase were significantly influenced by the dietary vitamin E level. The dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia was established based on second‐order polynomial regression of weight gain and lysozyme to be 78 or 111 mg all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet, respectively.