Protective effects of dietary l‐carnitine on tilapia hybrids (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus) reared under intensive pond‐culture conditions

Tilapia hybrids of Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus with a starting weight of 90 g were grown for 57 days in 18 floating net‐cages set up in a fishpond (1.8 ha × 3 m deep; water temperature around 27 °C) at the Aquaculture Research Station in Dor, Israel. They were fed pellets of a commercial diet which contained 8.1 ppm natural l ‐carnitine. This diet was then supplemented with 150 or 450 ppm of l ‐carnitine. The results show that at the end of the 8‐week feeding trail, l ‐carnitine supplementation did not influence weight gain. The subsequent histological characteristics of the pond fish were compared with those of a separated group of their siblings kept in an indoor tank in clean flow‐through water. Normal and contact epi‐microscopy, contact fluorescent microscopy and contact microfluorometry with various fluorescent probes revealed that the fish fed the diet with 150 ppm of supplementary l ‐carnitine showed the lowest permeability to fluorescein in gills, gut and skin epithelia, the highest activity in the system of active transport for organic anions, and the highest levels of the multixenobiotic resistance transporter (MXRtr) for lipophilic/amphiphilic xenobiotics. The MXRtr activity in the liver bile canaliculi and renal proximal tubules of this group of fish was much higher than that of the other groups except those from the indoor tank. The intralysosomal accumulation of neutral red in their head kidney macrophages was also significantly higher. The results suggest that a low level of l ‐carnitine enrichment provides several protective effects in fish reared under intensive pond‐culture conditions.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate level on growth and body composition of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus

A growth trial was conducted to feed juvenile tilapia (initial weight, 9.1±0.1 g), Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus, isonitrogenous diets for 8 weeks. Six diets were formulated containing 29% crude protein from casein and gelatin, 10% crude fat from soybean oil and refined soybean lecithin and varying levels of corn starch ranging from 6% to 46% at increments of 8%, with corresponding energy to protein (E/P) ratios of 35.6, 37.9, 40.2, 42.5, 44.8 and 47.1 kJ g^?1. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed diets with starch ≥22% (or E/P ratio ≥40.2 kJ g^?1) than in fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch (or E/P ratio of 35.6 or 37.9 kJ g^?1). No further improvement was measured when dietary starch content increased beyond 22%. Body protein retention showed the same general pattern as WG, and was highest in fish fed the 22% starch diet. Body composition was significantly affected by dietary starch level. Fish fed diets with starch ≥30% had significantly higher lipid content than fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch. Ash content was negatively correlated with starch inclusion level, but moisture and protein contents did not show discernible trends among treatments. Results indicate that hybrid tilapia can utilize 46% dietary starch without growth retardation, while 22% starch in feed for juvenile tilapia containing 29% protein and 10% lipid, or an E/P ratio of 37.9 kJ g^?1 is optimal.     

Effects of replacing plant proteins with rubber seed meal on growth,nutrient utilization and blood biochemical parameters of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing plant proteins with rubber seed meal (RSM) on growth, nutrient utilization and blood biochemical parameters of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus). Five experimental diets were formulated with 0, 65, 130, 195 and 260 g kg^?1 RSM replacing graded levels of a mixture of plant proteins, respectively. Dietary RSM inclusion level up to 260 g kg^?1 did not affect growth and feed utilization. Fish fed diets with 65–130 g kg^?1 RSM showed the highest feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio. However, high inclusion of RSM (260 g kg^?1) markedly reduced the hepatic protease, lipase and amylase activities, and thereby decreased the dry matter and crude protein digestibilities. Similarly, plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities were depressed by high inclusion of RSM. These results indicate that dietary RSM inclusion level up to 195 g kg^?1 did not affect the growth and health status of tilapia, whereas a further inclusion of RSM might result in reduced feed digestibility and antioxidant capacity of tilapia.     

酸制剂对罗非鱼生长和饲料利用的影响

为考察不同酸制剂对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长和饲料利用的影响,在基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加0.3%磷酸、富马酸、柠檬酸和乳酸,饲养奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼9周(初始平均体重约1.9g)。结果表明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸饲料组的罗非鱼特定生长率显著高于对照组和添加富马酸组(P<0.05);磷酸组、柠檬酸组和乳酸组的饲料效率较对照组有提高趋势(P>0.05),乳酸组的饲料效率显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05);柠檬酸组和乳酸组鱼体水分含量显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05),体粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量在组间差异不显著(P>0.05);胃蛋白酶活性在富马酸组显著低于其它饲料组(P<0.05),肠淀粉酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组(P<0.05);肝脏代谢酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组、磷酸组和富马酸组(P<0.05),相应地,柠檬酸组和乳酸组罗非鱼血清甘油三酯含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果说明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸能显著促进罗非鱼幼鱼生长,提高饲料的利用,富马酸降低罗非鱼对饲料的利用。     

Protein‐sparing capability of dietary lipid in herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater finfish: a comparative case study on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

Two, 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to compare protein‐sparing capability of dietary lipid in herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and omnivorous tilapia (Oreochomis niloticus × O. aureus). Utilizing a 2 × 3 factorial design, experimental diets containing two levels of crude protein (380 and 250 g kg⁻¹) and three levels of lipid (0, 40 and 100 g kg⁻¹) were formulated for use in both feeding trials. Growth performances showed better response of both fish fed 380 g kg⁻¹ protein diet than those fed 250 g kg⁻¹ protein diet. Despite the dietary protein level, weight gain (WG), specific growth ratio (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio were much higher (P < 0.05) for grass carp fed 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet than those fed 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet; however, there were no significant differences in tilapia fed the two diets. The feed intake of grass carp fed lipid‐free diet was the lowest, but it tended to decrease with increase in dietary lipids in tilapia. Lipid retention (LR) was negatively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Viscerosomatic index (VSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF) and whole‐body and liver lipid content positively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Plasma parameters and liver enzymes activities were also positively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Liver lipid contents were higher and enzymes activities were lower in grass carp when compared with tilapia. These data suggested that there was no evidence of a protein‐sparing effect of dietary lipids in grass carp. Tilapia has relatively higher capacity to endure high dietary lipid level compared to grass carp.     

Dietary phytase and protease improved growth and nutrient utilization in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus) fed low phosphorus and fishmeal‐free diets

A 10‐week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental phytase and protease in low phosphorus (LP) and fishmeal‐free diets (FMF) on growth and nutrient utilization of tilapia. Seven isonitrogenous diets were prepared as positive control diet (PC) containing 60 g/kg fishmeal and 18 g/kg monocalcium phosphate (MCP), LP diet (12 g/kg MCP), FMF diet, LP‐FMF diet, and three enzyme diets with phytase (LP + Ph), protease (FMF + Pr), and phytase + protease (LP‐FMF + Ph + Pr) supplementation in LP, FMF and LP‐FMF diets, respectively. Weight gain, nutrient (except Ca) retention and digestibility of LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups were lower than those of PC group (p < 0.05). Compared to LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups, the supplementation of phytase, protease and phytase + protease improved WG by 13.2%, 11.1% and 13.0% (p < 0.05). The three enzyme groups showed higher digestibility of protein and P, and higher intestinal villus length than those of LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups (p < 0.05), respectively. Dietary phytase and Ph + Pr also promoted the retentions of crude protein and P (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the supplementation of phytase in LP diet and protease in FMF diet improved the growth and nutrient utilization, and phytase reduced MCP inclusion in the diet of tilapia.     

Effect of replacing soybean meal with canola meal on growth,feed utilization and haematological indices of juvenile hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with canola meal (CM) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and haematological indices of juvenile hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus). Six isonitrogenous diets containing graded levels of CM (0, 95, 190, 285, 380 and 634 g kg^?1 of diet corresponding to 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 100%, respectively, of protein from SBM) to replace SBM on an equal protein basis were fed to triplicate groups of juvenile fish (initial weight=6.3 g). The results indicated that up to 30% of SBM could be replaced by CM without causing a significant reduction in growth performance. Fish fed with diets in which CM replaced over 45% of SBM had a significantly lower protein efficiency ratio and a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed with other diets. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, protein and phosphorus were lowest for fish fed the CM100 diet. Significant differences in haemoglobin, haematocrit and white blood cell concentration were found in fish fed diets with different CM levels. It is concluded that up to 19.02% CM can be used to replace 30% of SBM in diets for juvenile hybrid tilapia without compromising growth, feed conversion and protein utilization.     

Relative bioavailability of zinc in supplemental inorganic and organic sources for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

A 90‐day feeding experiment was conducted with sex reversed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings fed purified or practical diets supplemented with different zinc sources to evaluate fish growth performance and zinc and iron retention in fish bones, fillets, liver, skin and eyes. The relative bioavailability value (RBV) of zinc in the supplemental sources tested was also calculated. Fish were fed with isonitrogenous and isoenergetic purified or practical diets supplemented with 150 mg Zn kg^?1, as zinc sulphate monohydrate (ZnSO₄), zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc amino acid complex (Zn‐AA). The feeding trial was conducted in 30, 50 L aquaria where four 0.66 ± 0.01 g (mean ± SD) fingerlings were initially stocked. No significant differences were observed for any growth performance variables (P > 0.05). In practical diets, only ZnSO₄ and ZnO presented bone zinc retention similar to that for the standard zinc source. Zinc concentration in the bone of fish fed practical diet supplemented with Zn‐AA (171 ± 3.62 μg g^?1) was significantly lower than that verified for the practical diets supplemented with the standard zinc source (200 ± 17.7 μg g^?1) or with ZnSO₄ (204 ± 19.9 μg g^?1). Assuming the concentration of zinc in bones as the response criterion, the supplemental zinc RBV from ZnSO₄ (105%) was higher than the RBV for Zn‐AA (95.1%) or ZnO (94.9%). Iron concentration in the bones of animals fed the non‐zinc‐supplemented purified diet was significantly higher than that observed for purified diet supplemented with Zn‐AA (P < 0,05). The results of the present work allowed us to conclude that ZnSO₄ in relation to ZnO or Zn‐AA was the supplemental zinc source with higher zinc bioavailability to Nile tilapia.     

Effect of dietary probiotic Biogen® supplementation as a growth promoter on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Probiotic microbial feed supplements are gaining wide acceptance in livestock production, and may be applicable to aquaculture production systems. The present study was conducted to examine probiotic treatment in the fingerling diet of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). A total of 240 of Nile tilapia fingerlings (weight ranged from 22.96 to 26.40 g) were divided into five experimental groups. The experiment was conducted for 120 days. Experimental diets were identical in all, except for the variation in probiotic levels. A probiotic (Biogen^®) was used at 0% (diet 1), 0.5% (diet 2), 1.5% (diet 3), 2.0% (diet 4) and 2.5% (diet 5) inclusion rates in the experimental diets. The growth performance and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia including weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value and energy retention were significantly (P≤0.01) higher in the treatment receiving probiotic (Biogen^®) than the control diet. No differences were observed for moisture, ash and protein content (P≤0.01) among the experimental diets. The lowest gross energy and lipid contents were recorded for fish fed the diet containing 0.5% Biogen^® (P≤0.01). The production performance and subsequent cost–benefit analyses clearly indicated that the diets containing probiotic biogen recorded the highest net return and the lowest total cost compared with the control diet.     

Effect of dietary l‐methionine concentrations on growth performance,serum immune and antioxidative responses of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary l ‐methionine supplementation on growth performance, serum immune and antioxidative responses of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six iso‐nitrogenous (282 g kg^?1 crude protein) diets were formulated to contain graded levels of methionine (0.32%, 0.54%, 0.75%, 0.93%, 1.14% and 1.33% of dry weight) at a constant dietary cysteine level of 0.83 g kg^?1. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile fish (2.3 ± 0.0 g), which were fed three times daily (8:30, 12:30 and 17:00 hours). The results showed that growth performance and feed utilization significantly improved when dietary methionine levels increased (P < 0.05). Using quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary methionine levels indicated that, the optimal dietary methionine requirement for maximum growth of juvenile tilapia was 9.12 g kg^?1 of the dry diet in the presence of 0.83 g kg^?1 cystine. In addition, maximum C4 content and lysozyme activity were observed in fish fed 7.50 g kg^?1 methionine diet; maximum C3 content and superoxide dismutase activity were obtained in fish fed 9.30 g kg^?1 dietary methionine level. While there was no significant difference in serum glutathione peroxidase activity among all methionine supplemented treatments (P > 0.05). Methionine supplementation decreased malondialdehyde content in serum significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with the control diet, while there was no significant difference among supplemented treatments. These data suggested that l ‐methionine affected antioxidant status and promoted serum immune response in juvenile Nile tilapia, and at non‐stressed status, the requirement of dietary methionine in maintaining normal immunity and physiology is lower than that for maximum growth.     

Effect of dietary zinc level on growth,enzyme activity and body trace elements of hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus,fed soya bean meal‐based diets

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the dietary zinc (Zn) requirement of hybrid tilapia fed on a diet with soya bean meal as the sole protein source. The quantity of phytic acid in the experimental diet was 15.5 g kg^?1. Juvenile hybrid tilapia were fed on diets containing 31–227 mg Zn kg^?1 in triplicates for 6 weeks. Haematology of the fish was not affected by various dietary Zn levels. Fish fed on a diet containing 31 mg kg^?1 endogenous Zn showed the lowest growth rates, feed utilization, and body and plasma Zn levels. Weight gain (WG), plasma Zn level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased when a higher quantity of dietary Zn of 127 mg kg^?1 was administered to the experimental fish. Beyond this level, the values of these parameters were relatively stable. On the other hand, within the dietary Zn range tested, whole‐body Zn and ash increased with higher dietary Zn levels. Analysis using a broken‐line model showed that the dietary Zn requirements of hybrid tilapia fed on soya bean meal‐based diets containing 15.5 g kg^?1 endogenous phytic acid were 115, 115 and 105 mg kg^?1 based on WG, whole‐body Zn retention and plasma Zn level, respectively.     

Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation in diets on growth and feed utilization in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental exogenous enzyme on growth performance in juvenile hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus (18 g, average initial weight). A commercial enzyme complex (neutral protease, β‐glucanase and xylanase) was included at the level of 0.0 (control group), 1.0 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ diet in three test diets. Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of the juvenile three times a day at 4–6% of wet body weight, and each tank was stocked with 50 fish. The results showed that specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The highest feed intake was recorded in the group fed the control diet (P<0.05). The highest apparent protein retention was observed in fish fed the diet containing the 1.5 g kg⁻¹diet (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the apparent digestibilities (ADC) of protein, lipid and gross energy among dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the ADC of dry matter in fish fed high supplementation (1.5 g kg⁻¹) was significantly higher than the control and low supplementation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in condition factor, whole body moisture, protein, lipid and ash among dietary treatments. Viscera ratio, hepatosomatic index and the liver lipid decreased significantly with increasing enzyme (P<0.05). Both protease and amylase activities in the intestine and the hepatopancreas of juvenile hybrid tilapia significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The results suggested that enzyme supplementation can significantly improve growth performance and feed utilization in juvenile hybrid tilapia.     

Effects of temperature and feed processing on protease activity and dietary protease on growths of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,and tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus

Effects of temperature and processing on the stability of a commercial protease were assessed in an in vitro trial followed by growth trials with white shrimp and tilapia. Results showed that the protease has a high heat stability against pelleting, and it could hydrolyse dietary proteins during feed processing. In Exp. 2, white shrimp (3.3 g) fed low fish meal (FM) diet (LFD) with protease addition had similar growth to that fed high fish meal diet, and both had higher weight gain (WG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than that fed LFD without protease addition (P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, compressed (CD) or extruded (ED) diets containing 30 g kg^?1 or 90 g kg^?1 FM were supplemented with or without protease and then fed to tilapia (1.7 g) for 8 weeks. WG was improved and FCR decreased (P < 0.05) by the supplementation of protease in 30 g kg^?1 FMCD, but not in 90 g kg^?1 FMCD and ED diets when compared to those diets without protease supplementation. The digestibility trial with CD indicated the improved apparent digestibilities of dry matter and crude protein by dietary protease in 30 g kg^?1 FMCD, but not in 90 g kg^?1 FMCD. Results above showed that the protease has a high heat stability and the supplementation of protease in CD with low FM level can improve the growth of shrimp and tilapia.     

Antinutritive effects of galactomannan-rich endosperm of Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata) seeds on growth and feed utilization in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted using tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., in a recirculation system maintained at 27±0.2°C to observe the negative effects of Sesbania endosperm on growth and nutrient utilization. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain 32% protein, of which fishmeal was the major source. Endosperm separated from Sesbania seeds was included at levels of 0.0%, 2.9%, 5.8%, 8.7% and 11.6% in diets 1 (control), 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, equivalent to levels of 0.0%, 9.7%, 19.4%, 29.1% and 38.8%, respectively, of whole Sesbania seeds. Each treatment had two replicates, eight fish per replicate, with a mean initial live weight of 5.2±0.1 g. Fish were fed 20 g per kg metabolic body weight of fish daily. The body weight gain, metabolic growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value and energy retention of fish fed the control and diet 2 were significantly better (P<0.05) than those of fish fed the other diets. Physical observation showed that the intestines of the fish fed diets that included endosperm contained loose, viscous and sticky material. Fish fed diets 3, 4 and 5 had a lower proportion of dry matter in their faeces, and lower apparent crude lipid and energy digestibility coefficients compared with fish fed the control diet and diet 2. They also had significantly reduced levels of muscle and plasma cholesterol, whole‐body crude protein, lipid and gross energy.     

Effects of dietary zinc sources and levels on growth performance,tissue zinc retention and antioxidant response of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed diets containing phytic acid

Plant protein‐based diets are widely used for common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). The plant source antagonist, such as phytate, negatively affects the bioavailability of trace minerals, but this aspect was not considered in previous studies on this species. A 10‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of inorganic Zinc (ZnSO₄·7H₂O, Zn‐S) and organic Zn (2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic Zinc, Zn‐M) on growth performance, Zn retention and antioxidant responses of common carp (initial weight 10.0 ± 0.03 g). Eleven semi‐purified diets containing 7 mg/kg phytic acid were prepared with 0, 5, 20, 35, 50 and 65 mg/kg Zn from Zn‐S and Zn‐M (12.8 mg/kg Zn in basal level), respectively. The results showed that either Zn‐S or Zn‐M inclusion improved growth performance, vertebral Zn deposition and antioxidant responses of fish. The Zn requirement based on WGR, vertebrae Zn and plasma SOD were 47.0, >77.8 and 48.5 mg/kg, and 63.3, 42.2 and 36.8 mg/kg, respectively, with Zn‐S and Zn‐M as Zn sources. The relative bioavailability of Zn‐M was 2.44‐ (vertebrae Zn deposition) and 1.74‐fold (plasma SOD activity) the availability of Zn‐S in the diet of common carp. The lower growth performance and poor bioavailability in vertebrae of Zn‐S group were related to the chelating of zinc with phytic acid.     

Effect of three natural phytochemicals supplementation on growth performance,testosterone level and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

An 84‐day feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary ginseng extract (GE), tribulus extract (TE) and date palm pollen grains (DPPG) on growth, testosterone level and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings. Seven experimental treatments were conducted in three replicates: control fed basal diets without any supplementations, GE_0.2 (supplemented with 0.2 g GE/kg diet), GE_0.4 (supplemented with 0.4 g GE/kg diet), TE_0.6 (supplemented with 0.6 g TE/kg diet), TE_1.2 (supplemented with 1.2 g TE/kg diet), DPPG₃ (supplemented with 3 g DPPG/kg diet) and DPPG₆ (supplemented with 6 g DPPG/kg diet). The results indicated that all dietary phytochemicals significantly increased growth compared to the control. Plasma testosterone levels were improved by 86.27%, 64.58%, 57.35% and 24.58% with TE_1.2, GE_0.4, TE_0.6 and DPPG₆, respectively, more than the control. The relationship between testosterone and final body weight showed a significant simple linear regression with a positive correlation. The nutrient utilization imprxoved with higher doses of phytochemical supplementations. Moreover, protein content increased and ether extract decreased with phytochemical supplementation. The present results concluded that higher doses of GE, TE and DPPG could be used as growth promoters and testosterone boosters for Nile tilapia fingerlings.     

Effect of dietary protein-energy levels and fish initial sizes on growth rate, development and production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

The effects of dietary protein‐energy levels on the growth rate, proximate composition and production were examined in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, at two starting weights (22.9 and 39.8 g) reared in concrete ponds for 180 days. The highest weight gain (183.1 g) was obtained with fish fed a 30% protein and 10.5 kJ g^?1 diet for the small initial size and 180.2 g for a diet containing 25% protein and 12.6 kJ g^?1 for the large initial size. Dressed yields (edible mass) and fillets increased to 56.9% and 52.5% in fish fed diet with 25% protein and 10.5 kJ g^?1 at the initial size of 22.9 g, while fish started at 39.8 g exhibited the best values (56.5% and 52.1%) when fed the 30% protein and 10.5 kJ g^?1 diet. Proximate composition of soft tissue (wet weight basis) in small fish was significantly influenced by dietary protein‐energy levels. Protein was 26.1±0.3% in fish fed the high protein (30%) and low energy (10.5 kJ g^?1 diet), while lipid content was 6.4±0.3% at diet containing 20% protein and 14.7 kJ g^?1 diet. Large initial size fish fed the diet with 25% protein and 14.7 kJ g^?1 had the highest body protein (32.0±0.4%) and lowest lipid content (2.2±0.3%). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio varied with different dietary protein‐energy levels and initial fish sizes. Feed conversion ratio increased with increasing protein and decreasing energy level in the diet, and values in small fish were higher than values in large fish. Protein efficiency ratio decreased with increasing dietary protein level and decreasing energy level. The maximum total production (7.6 tons feddan^?1) was with dietary high protein (30%) and low energy (10.5 kJ g^?1) for small‐sized fish, while large initial fish had the highest production (3.7 tons feddan^?1) when fed the 25% protein and 12.6 kJ g^?1 diet energy. Starting with 22.9 g fish was more advantageous than the initial size of 39.8 g for rearing Nile tilapia. Small fish required a high‐protein and low‐energy diet, whereas large fish required a low‐protein and high‐energy diet to achieve highest production.     

A comparative study of growth and feed utilization efficiency of sex-reversed diploid and triploid Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

Growth performance, survival and feed utilization of diploid (2n) and triploid (3n) sex‐reversed male and female Nile tilapia were evaluated at maintenance feeding (1% body weight (BW) day^?1), fixed feeding (3% BW day^?1) and apparent satiation feeding levels in a freshwater recirculation system comprised of thirty‐six 1‐m³ concrete tanks at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. Triploid Nile tilapia (3n) was produced by subjecting fertilized diploid (2n) tilapia eggs to heat shock. After hatching, fish were sex‐reversed to all‐male and all‐female populations by oral administration of 17 α‐methyltestosterone (60 mg kg^?1 feed) and ethynylestradiol (100 mg kg^?1 feed) respectively. There was significantly higher growth with increased ration levels in both male and female groups. There were no significant differences in final BW, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio between diploid and triploid fish. Triploids had lower gonad weights than diploids, and this was particularly evident at the satiation feeding level. Triploid fish had a significantly higher apparent net protein utilization and percentage of gutted weight than diploids at all feeding levels. Higher protein utilization efficiency of triploids might be an advantage for commercial tilapia culture but further research is necessary to make such a conclusion.     

Clostridium butyricum as probiotic for promoting growth performance,feed utilization,gut health and microbiota community of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

The feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potentials of Clostridium butyricum in the diet of tilapia. Fish (~14 g) were fed with basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 0.5 (C‐1), 1 (C‐2), 2 (C‐3), 4 (C‐4) and 8 (C‐5) g/kg commercial probiotic‐containing C. butyricum (1.5 × 10⁸ CFU/g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that weight gain significantly increased, and feed conversion ratio decreased in the C‐2, C‐3 and C‐4 groups (p < .05). The protein retention (except C‐1 group), lipid retention and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter in probiotic supplementation groups were significantly enhanced, and ADC of protein in the C‐4 group was also improved (p < .05). The supplementation of probiotic significantly increased villus height in anterior intestines and reduced the numbers of intestinal Escherichia coli (p < .05). High‐throughput sequencing showed that top three phyla namely Planctomycetes in all probiotic‐containing groups, Proteobacteria in the C‐1 and C‐2 groups and Chloroflexi in the C‐3 group had higher level than the NC group. The cumulative mortality was reduced by dietary probiotic after challenging with Aeromonas hydrophila (p < .05). In conclusion, C. butyricum can be supplemented at 1–2 g/kg feed for promoting the growth, feed utilization, gut health and microbiota of tilapia.