Performance, carcass composition and nutrient utilization of surubim Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz) fed diets with varying carbohydrate and lipid levels

Five isonitrogenous diets formulated to contain 470 g kg^?1 of crude protein, five different levels of crude lipids (190, 210, 230, 250 and 270 g kg^?1), five different levels of carbohydrates (178, 155, 158, 125 and 110 g kg^?1) and gross energy (21.2, 21.6, 22.4, 22.8 and 23.2 MJ kg^?1) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lipid levels on performance and carcass composition of the surubim, Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Agassiz). Triplicate groups of 11 fish with an average individual body weight of 5.1 ± 0.2 g were randomly assigned to 15 net cages and fed each test diet twice a day to apparent satiation for 64 days. At the end of the trial there were no significant differences in feed consumption or fish performance. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the lipid content of fish carcass and liver. On the contrary, visceral lipid increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in dietary lipid level. Protein and energy retention efficiencies were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary lipid and carbohydrate levels. The results of this trial suggest that increasing dietary lipid levels from 190 to 270 g kg^?1 did not improve growth performance or protein sparing and caused an undesirable increase in the visceral lipid content of surubim fingerlings.     

Growth,feed utilization and body composition of Asian catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fed at different dietary protein and lipid levels

This study examined the effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth, feed utilization and body composition of Asian catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus reared in cages. Eight test diets were formulated at four protein (340, 380, 420 and 460 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) and two lipid (50 and 90 g kg⁻¹ crude lipid) levels. Fish (initial weight 4.7 g fish⁻¹) were fed the test diets for 8 weeks. Final body weight, weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), contents of crude protein, lipid and energy in whole body were dependent on both dietary protein and lipid levels, while specific growth rate (SGR), hepatosomatic index and body moisture content were dependent on dietary lipid level. The WG and SGR increased with the increase in either dietary protein level (at the same lipid level) or lipid level (at the same protein level). The FI and FCR decreased with the increase in dietary protein level (at the same lipid level) or lipid level (at the same protein level). Protein sparing action occurred in case dietary lipid level increased. Fish fed the diet containing 453 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 86 g kg⁻¹ lipid had the highest WG and SGR, but the lowest FI and FCR, among the diet treatments. There were no significant differences in the protein retention efficiency (PRE) and energy retention efficiency (ERE) among the diet treatments, although PRE and ERE were relatively high in fish fed the diet containing 453 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 86 g kg⁻¹ lipid. At the end of the feeding trial, body protein content increased, while body lipid content decreased, with the increase in dietary protein content at the same lipid level. Our results suggest that dietary levels of 450 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 90 g kg⁻¹ lipid are adequate to support fast growth of P. hypophthalmus reared in cages.     

Growth,feed utilization and body composition of juvenile Manchurian trout,Brachymystax lenok (Pallas) fed different dietary protein and lipid levels

A 10‐week feeding trial with four dietary protein levels (400, 450, 500 and 550 g kg^?1 crude protein) and two dietary lipid levels (80 and 160 g kg^?1 crude lipid) was conducted to assess optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for the growth, feed utilization and body composition of juvenile Manchurian trout (initial weight 11.80 ± 0.15 g). Fish were fed twice daily (08:30 and 16:30 h) to apparent satiation. The results showed that fish fed the diet with 500 g kg^?1 protein and 80 g kg^?1 lipid had the highest growth and feed efficiency. However, fish fed the diet with 450 g kg^?1 protein and 160 g kg^?1 lipid showed comparable growth to that of the fish fed diet 5 (500/80) and had higher protein efficiency ratio (PER), nitrogen retention (NR) and energy retention (ER) than other groups (P < 0.05). Growth, PER, NR and ER of fish fed the 160 g kg^?1 lipid diet was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of fish fed the 80 g kg^?1 lipid diet at 400 and 450 g kg^?1 protein diet, whereas these values showed an opposite trend at 500 and 550 g kg^?1 protein diet, and the lowest PER, NR and ER was found by fish fed the 400 g kg^?1 protein diet with 80 g kg^?1 lipid. Fish fed diets with 400 g kg^?1 protein had lower feed intake (FI) than that of other groups. Feed intake of fish fed 80 g kg^?1 lipid level was significantly lower than that of fish fed 160 g kg^?1 lipid diet at 400 g kg^?1 protein (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed at 450, 500 and 550 g kg^?1 protein‐based diets. Contrary to moisture content, lipid content of whole body and muscle increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing lipid levels. The results of this study indicated that the diet containing 450 g kg^?1 protein and 160 g kg^?1 lipid, with a P/E ratio of 23.68 g protein MJ^?1 would be suitable for better growth and feed utilization of juvenile Manchurian trout under the experimental conditions and design level used in this study.     

Growth,feed utilization and body composition of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus fed at different dietary protein and lipid levels

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the suitable dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus reared in net pens. Ten test diets were formulated at five levels of crude protein (330, 370, 410, 450 or 490 g kg^?1) and two levels of crude lipid (65 or 125 g kg^?1). Golden pompano fingerlings (initial body weight 4.7 g ind^?1) were fed the test diets for 8 weeks. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), energy retention efficiency (ERE), condition factor (CF), hepatosomatic index (HSI), body protein content and total nitrogen waste (TNW) were dependent on both dietary protein and lipid levels. Feed intake (FI) and viscersomatic index (VSI) were dependent on dietary protein level, while body lipid content was dependent on dietary lipid level. Weight gain increased with increasing the dietary protein level (at the same lipid level) but was lower at the dietary lipid level of 65 g kg^?1 than at 125 g kg^?1 (at the same protein level). Fish fed at the dietary protein levels of 460–490 g kg^?1 had higher WG and lower FCR than at 330–410 g kg^?1. Energy retention efficiency tended to increase with increasing the dietary protein level from 330 to 410 g kg^?1, while no significant difference was found in nitrogen retention efficiency between the dietary protein levels (at the same lipid level). Results of this study suggest increasing the dietary lipid level from 65 to 125 g kg^?1 could not induce protein‐sparing action in golden pompano, and the suitable dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile golden pompano reared in net pens should be 450–490 and 65 g kg^?1.     

Growth performance and body composition of white seabream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles fed diets with different protein and lipid levels

An 83‐day feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth performances and carcass composition of white seabream. Juveniles (10.7±0.2 g) were fed to satiation on four diets, varying in protein (15% and 28%) and lipid (12% and 16%) levels. The best growth performance was observed in fish fed on diets with higher protein level. Dietary lipids did not affect growth performance. Voluntary feed intake decreased with a increasing dietary protein level at both dietary lipid levels. Feed conversion ratio improved with the increase in dietary protein and lipid levels. Carcass composition remained unaltered by dietary protein levels (P>0.05). Carcass protein content tended to decrease, while lipid content tended to increase in groups fed on 16% lipid, compared with the 12% lipid groups. Additionally, protein retention was higher in fish fed on low‐protein and low‐lipid levels, compared with the high‐protein and high‐lipid group (29% vs. 19%). Lipid retention increased significantly with dietary protein level (P<0.001). Energy retention improved with dietary protein, but was not affected by dietary lipid levels. On the basis of our results, feeding white seabream on 15% dietary protein had a negative effect on growth and feed utilization. Dietary lipid did not induce a protein‐sparing action in Diplodus sargus juveniles.     

Artemia sp. Proportions and Effects on Survival and Growth of Pintado,Pseudoplatystoma corruscans Larvae

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival and growth of larvae (L) of pintado, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, fed different Artemia sp. proportions: 50, 200, 350, 500, 650, 800, and 950 Artemia nauplii per larva per day, in a complete randomized design. Water salinity was 1.7%, and larviculture lasted for a period of 15 days, which was divided into three individual 5-day trials. Larvae were stocked at a density of 15 per liter and kept in the dark. The concentrations of un-ionized ammonia-N and nitrite-N were directly proportional to the increase in prey density (P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed increased survival and growth rates up to 200, 350, and 500 nauplii/L/day, for the first, second, and third trials, respectively. These results indicate that larval food intake is related to ontogenetic development stage.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth,feed utilization and body composition in red‐tailed catfish juveniles (Hemibagrus wyckioides,Chaux & Fang 1949)

A feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system during 10 weeks to determine the optimal protein to lipid ratio in Asian red‐tailed catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides). Six diets of two protein levels (390 and 440 g kg^?1) with three lipid levels (60, 90 and 120 g kg^?1) were formulated. Fish (1.96 g) were fed six diets with four replicates to apparent satiation at a stocking density of 50 fish per tank (500 L). Faeces were collected in cultured tanks at the end of the feeding trial for digestibility measurement. Significantly, improved growth performances (P < 0.01) and higher feed utilization (P < 0.001) were observed in fish fed with higher lipid diets. However, higher protein diets did not significantly improve fish growth but they reduced FCR (P < 0.001) and protein efficiency ratio (P < 0.01). Higher lipid diets also resulted in significantly increased adipose‐somatic index, carcass fat and reduced moisture of the fish. The study revealed the protein sparing effect of dietary lipid in the catfish and highest growth performance was found by fish fed 390 g kg^?1 protein and 120 g kg^?1 lipid diet with P/E ratio of 20.48 mg protein kJ^?1. DP/DE ratio for maximal growth rate in diets was 21.48 mg protein kJ^?1.     

Growth,feed utilization,body composition and swimming performance of giant croaker,Nibea japonica Temminck and Schlegel,fed at different dietary protein and lipid levels

A 50‐day feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth, feed utilization, body composition and swimming performance of giant croaker, Nibea japonica. Fish (initial body weight 44.6 g ind⁻¹) were fed ten test diets which were formulated at 5 crude protein levels (360, 400, 440, 480 and 520 g kg⁻¹) and 2 crude lipid levels (90 and 150 g kg⁻¹). In addition, a raw fish diet (fillet of small yellow croaker) served as the reference. The weight gain (WG) increased, whereas the feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased, with increasing dietary protein level from 360 to 520 g kg⁻¹. At the same dietary protein level, no significant difference was found in the WG between fish fed the diets containing 90 or 150 g kg⁻¹ crude lipid. Fish fed the diet containing 480 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 90 g kg⁻¹ crude lipid exhibited higher WG, nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) and energy retention efficiency (ERE) but lower nitrogen wastes output (TNW). At the end of the feeding trial, the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) decreased, whereas the body protein content increased, with increase in dietary protein level. The body lipid content was higher in fish fed at the 150 g kg⁻¹ lipid level than in fish fed at the 90 g kg⁻¹ lipid level. No significant difference was found in the maximum sustained swimming speed (MSS) between fish fed at different dietary protein and lipid levels. The WG, NRE, ERE and condition factor (CF) were higher, whereas the FI, FCR, HSI, VSI and TNW were lower, in fish fed the raw fish diet than in fish fed the diet containing 480 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 90 g kg⁻¹ crude lipid. No significant difference was detected in the MSS between fish fed the raw fish diet and diet containing 480 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 90 g kg⁻¹ crude lipid. The results of this study suggest that the suitable dietary crude protein and crude lipid levels are 480 g kg⁻¹ and 90 g kg⁻¹ for giant croaker reared in net pens.     

饲料蛋白质和能量水平对红姑鱼生长和鱼体组成的影响

采用 3× 3因子试验确定不同蛋白质和脂肪水平实用饲料对红姑鱼生长和鱼体组成的影响。初始平均体重为 2 .73g的试验鱼放养在 2 7个 2 .5m× 1.5m× 1.3m的网箱中 ,每箱放养 6 0尾。用饲料蛋白质水平为38% ,42 %和 46 % ,脂肪水平为 5 % ,8%和 12 %的试验饲料饲养鱼 8周。结果表明特定生长率和饲料系数以高蛋白质组 (HP ,46 % )显著高于中蛋白组 (MP ,42 % )和低蛋白组 (LP ,38% ) (P <0 .0 5 ) ;饲料脂肪水平对鱼的生长和饲料系数没有显著影响 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;随饲料DP/DE降低 ,脏体比和肝体比增加 ;随饲料可消化能增加 ,全鱼和肝脏的脂肪含量增加 ,但对机体的蛋白含量、氨基酸构成和灰分含量没有多大的影响。从本试验可初步认为红姑鱼幼鱼最适饲料蛋白质水平为 46 % ,可消化蛋能比 (DP/DE)为 119mg·kcal-1。     

Growth,feed utilization and body composition of African bonytongue,Heterotis niloticus,fingerlings fed diets containing various protein and lipid levels

In order to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth, feed utilization and body composition of Heterotis niloticus fingerlings, a factorial experiment with three replicates was conducted. Six experimental diets containing three crude protein levels (28%, 32% and 36%) and two crude lipid levels (6% and 13%) were tested. Heterotis niloticus (2.34 g) were fed with the diets to apparent satiation, twice a day. For 56 days, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein retention (PR) were significantly affected by dietary protein and dietary lipid levels respectively (P<0.01). The highest WG, SGR and FE were observed for fingerlings fed the diet containing 36% protein and 6% lipid, but no significance difference was found between groups fed with the following diets: P28L13 (28% protein and 13% lipid), P32L6, P32L13 and P36L13. A significant interaction between dietary protein and lipid was observed for WG, SGR, FE and PR. The whole‐body protein, lipid, moisture and ash content were not significantly affected by dietary lipid levels, but body protein and lipid content were significantly affected by dietary protein. The dietary protein‐sparing effect was clearly demonstrated when the dietary energy of lipid increased from 17 to 19.6 kJ g^?1 at 28% crude protein on H. niloticus.     

饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平对赤眼鳟生长和鱼体营养成分的影响

采用3×3因子试验设计,配制9种试验饲料,研究饲料不同蛋白质水平(31%、37%和43%)和脂肪水平(3.5%、5.5%、7.5%)对平均体重为5.49 g赤眼鳟(Squaliobarbus curriculus)鱼种生长和鱼体组成的影响。实验选取赤眼鳟鱼种810尾,随机分成9组,每组2个重复,饲养期6周。结果显示:饲料蛋白质和脂肪的交互作用对赤眼鳟的特定生长率有显著影响(P<0.05),饲料蛋白质水平对饲料系数影响显著(P<0.05),当饲料蛋白质水平为37%、脂肪水平为3.5%时赤眼鳟特定生长率最大,饲料系数最低。随着特定生长率的升高,赤眼鳟的肥满度和肌肉蛋白质的含量升高;赤眼鳟肌肉和肝脏脂肪含量均随着饲料中可消化能的增加而增加。     

Growth and metabolic responses of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed different levels of protein and lipid

Growth and metabolism were investigated in juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed with isoenergetic diets in four treatments with protein (P) lipid (L) in g kg^?1: P350L49; P301L81; P253L113 and P205L145, respectively. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory facilities. Fish growth, the intermediary metabolites (total sugar, lactate, pyruvate, ammonia, protein, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, amino acids and glycogen), and the enzyme activities of lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were assayed. Fish from treatments P350L49 and P301L81 depicted the best growth. Increase in glycolytic, glycogenolytic and lipolytic activities in liver was observed following dietary lipid increase. In fish fed with high lipid levels, the energetic demand was supplied by enhancement of muscular glycogenesis and lipolysis. The plasma metabolic profile reflected the blood function on metabolites delivery to tissues underlining biochemical adaptations because of changes in the feeding. In conclusion, the increase in dietary lipid plus protein decrease resulted in (i) reduction in fish growth, (ii) augment of liver glycolysis and glycogenolysis (iii) increase in muscular glycogenesis and (iv) predominance of lipolytic metabolism.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles

In this study, two growth trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles. For the first trial, five diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg^?1 lipid and increasing levels of protein, ranging from 400 to 600 g kg^?1. Two additional diets were formulated with 400 and 600 g kg^?1 protein and 180 g kg^?1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to duplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 1.5 g for 10 weeks. For the second growth trial, four diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg^?1 lipid and 380–520 g kg^?1 protein. Two additional diets were formulated with 380 and 520 g kg^?1 protein and 180 g kg^?1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to triplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 41 g for 12 weeks. At the end of both trials, there were no growth differences among groups independent of the dietary protein content. In the first trial, growth was negatively correlated to dietary lipid levels. No significant differences of feed intake were detected among groups in both trials, but a direct correlation between feed efficiency and dietary protein level was observed. Protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen (N) retention (% N intake) significantly decreased with the increase of dietary protein levels. In both trials, energy retention (% energy intake) was highest in groups fed on diets with the highest protein‐to‐energy (P/E) ratio. At the end of both trials, no significant differences in whole‐body composition were observed among groups. Specific activity of enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)] showed no significant differences with dietary protein level in both trials. Nevertheless, in the first trial, a significantly lower GDH activity was observed in fish fed with higher dietary lipid levels. No differences were found for specific activity of the lipogenic enzymes, fatty aid synthetase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, in the second trial. Results of this study indicate that a diet with a protein level of 380–420 g kg^?1 and a P/E ratio of 20 g protein MJ^?1 satisfies the growth requirements of D. sargus juveniles. Also, within the range tested, no evidence of protein sparing by dietary lipids seems to occur.     

Intestinal morphology and histology of the striped catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1766) fed dry diets

This study unveils histological features of the intestinal tract of juvenile striped catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1776) in three size classes (weight, standard length): I – 36.84 ± 10.19 g, 14.52 ± 1.54 cm; II – 59.03 ± 11.47 g, 17.17 ± 1.06 cm; III – 89.72 ± 18.70 g, 20.79 ± 1.55 cm, respectively. Histological organization of the juvenile speckled catfish intestine bears features common to the carnivorous fish, but the organ presents some convolutions that indicate a certain degree of dietary flexibility, a surprising trend, common only to omnivorous Siluriforms. The architecture of the mucosa of the speckled catfish intestine indicates that the species concentrates digestion and absorption of nutrients in the medium intestine, a common feature among carnivorous Teleosts.     

Effects of dietary non‐protein energy source levels on growth performance,body composition and lipid metabolism in herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary non‐protein energy sources on growth, tissue lipid accumulation and lipid metabolism‐related genes expression of grass carp. Triplicate groups of fish were fed for 9 weeks on four isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1) experimental diets with four levels of non‐protein energy (6.52 kJ g^?1 control diet, 5.32 kJ g^?1 high‐CEL diet, 8.46 kJ g^?1 high‐CHO diet and 8.53 kJ g^?1 high‐LIP diet respectively). Increasing dietary non‐protein energy source levels did not improve the growth, and the high‐CEL diet reduced the growth of grass carp. The high‐CHO diet tended to induce high hepatosomatic index, with high fat and glycogen content of liver. However, the high‐LIP diet caused the high mesenteric fat index, but did not increase liver fat. The mRNA abundance and activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes were significantly increased in the high‐CHO diet group, whereas the opposite tendencies were observed in the high‐LIP diet group. Peroxisome proliferator‐actived receptor‐α (PPARα) in liver and PPARγ in mesenteric adipose tissue were up‐regulated in the high‐CEL diet group. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression was significantly increased both in liver and mesenteric adipose tissue of fish fed the high‐LIP diet, while the LPL gene expression was up‐regulated in liver but down‐regulated in mesenteric adipose tissue of fish fed the high‐CEL diet. These findings suggest that an increase in dietary non‐protein energy sources alters the genes expression of lipid metabolism and increased lipid deposition.     

Growth and metabolism of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg 1887) juveniles fed diets containing different protein, lipid and carbohydrate levels

To verify the potential of lipids and carbohydrates to spare dietary protein and to understand the intermediary metabolism of interaction of these nutrients in pacu juveniles, an experiment was carried out to evaluate pacu physiological and performance parameters. The experimental design was completely randomized with 12 treatments in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of diets containing two digestible protein levels (200 and 230 g kg⁻¹ PD), two lipid levels (40 and 80 g kg⁻¹) and three carbohydrate levels (410, 460 and 500 g kg⁻¹). Fish‐fed 230 g kg⁻¹ digestable protein (DP) showed increased glycaemia, decreased hepatic glycogen, as well as a smaller intake index and better feed conversion ratio. The higher dietary lipid level (80 g kg⁻¹) reduced protein intake and serum protein concentration, increased liver and body fat content, but did not affect growth. At a lipid level of 80 g kg⁻¹, the increase in dietary carbohydrate levels promoted greater weight gain (WG), crude protein intake (CPI) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR). For fish fed diets containing 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid, the best energy‐productive values (EPV) were obtained at 460 g kg⁻¹ carbohydrate. Increased levels of the main nutrients in the diets reduced the levels of serum triglycerides, while the increase in energy concentration increased the hepatosomatic (HSI) and glycaemia index values. Pacu used lipids as effectively as carbohydrates in the maximization of protein usage, as long as dietary protein was at a level of 230 g kg⁻¹ DP. The physiological parameters indicated that the best balance between the DP, dietary lipid and carbohydrate levels within the ranged this trial was obtained at 230, 40 and 460 g kg⁻¹, respectively, without lower growth.     

Growth of Australian shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) elvers given different dietary protein and lipid levels

The Australian shortfin eel, Anguilla australis is a potential candidate for intensive aquaculture. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the growth of elvers (5.4 g ± 0.1 initial weight) fed with diets of varying protein and lipid content, and to assess the potential of using soya‐bean meal as a dietary ingredient. A 10 week experiment was conducted at 24 (±1.0) °C by rearing fish, in 60 L conical fibre glass tanks using a closed recirculation system. Diets having protein concentrations of 40 or 50% (by dry weight) were tested at three lipid levels (15, 20, 25%); diets being designated P₄₀L₁₅, P₄₀L₂₀, P₄₀L₂₅, P₅₀L_15, etc. All these diets contained 5% soya‐bean meal. In addition P₅₀L₂₀ diets were formulated to contain 10 and 20% soya‐bean meal in the diet (Diets S1 & S2). Shortfin eel grew best on the P₅₀L₁₅ diet, with an average specific growth rate of 2.26%. Food conservation ratio (FCR) and Protein efficiency ratio (PER) ranged from 1.21 (P₅₀L₁₅) to 2.12 (P₄₀L₂₅), and 0.92 (P₅₀L₂₅) to 1.65 (P₅₀L₁₅), respectively. Based on all criteria the best growth performance of shortfin eel was on the P₅₀L₁₅ diet, followed by P₄₀L₂₀ and P₄₀L₁₅. At both protein levels fish reared on diets with 25% lipid performed poorly. The performance of shortfin eel was not affected by the amount of soya‐bean meal in the diet, up to a maximum of 20% dietary inclusion. No significant differences in muscle protein were evident in shortfin eel reared on different dietary treatments, nor was the lipid content of muscle related to dietary lipid level.     

Effect of dietary lipid and protein levels with different protein to energy ratios on growth performance,feed utilization and body composition of Rutilus frisii kutum (Kamenskii, 1901) fingerlings

A 3 × 5 factorial design including three lipid levels (100, 130 and 180 g kg^?1 diet, based on dry matter) and five dietary protein levels (370, 420, 470, 520 and 570 g kg^?1 diet, based on dry matter) was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary lipid and protein requirements for Rutilus frisii kutum fingerlings. Triplicate groups of 80 kutum (500 ± 60 mg initial weight) were stocked in 250‐l tanks and fed to apparent satiation thrice daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance and feed utilization were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary protein and lipid levels. Weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio of kutum improved significantly with increasing protein level from 370 to 470 g protein kg^?1 diet, but there was a significant decrease in growth parameters with increasing protein level from 470 to 570 g protein kg^?1 diet. Also, the higher values of weight gain, specific growth rate and better feed conversion ratio were observed for fish fed diets containing 130 g kg^?1 lipid diet. The results of this study showed that diet containing 420 g kg^?1 protein and 130 g kg^?1 lipid with a P:E ratio of 19.22 mg protein kJ^?1 of gross energy is optimal for kutum fingerlings.     

Growth and body composition of juvenile white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,fed different ratios of dietary protein to energy

A 10‐week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different protein to energy ratios on growth and body composition of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (initial average weight of 0.09 ± 0.002 g, mean ± SE). Twelve practical test diets were formulated to contain four protein levels (300, 340, 380 and 420 g kg^?1) and three lipid levels (50, 75 and 100 g kg^?1). Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps per tank (260 L). The water temperature was 28.5 ± 2 °C and the salinity was 28 ± 1 g L^?1 during the experimental period. The results showed that the growth was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Shrimps fed the diets containing 300 g kg^?1 protein showed the poorest growth. However, shrimp fed the 75 g kg^?1 lipid diets had only slightly higher growth than that fed 50 g kg^?1 lipid diets at the same dietary protein level, and even a little decline in growth with the further increase of dietary lipid to 100 g kg^?1. Shrimp fed the diet with 420 g kg^?1protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid had the highest specific growth rate. However, shrimp fed the diet with 340 g kg^?1 protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid showed comparable growth, and had the highest protein efficiency ratio, energy retention and feed efficiency ratio among dietary treatments. Triglycerides and total cholesterol in the serum of shrimp increased with increasing dietary lipid level at the same dietary protein level. Body lipid and energy increased with increasing dietary lipid level irrespective of dietary protein. Results of the present study showed that the diet containing 340 g kg^?1 protein and 75 g kg^?1 lipid with digestible protein/digestible energy of 21.1 mg kJ^?1 is optimum for L. vannamei, and the increase of dietary lipid level has not efficient protein‐sparing effect.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth,feed utilization and body composition in Pseudobagrus ussuriensis fingerlings

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth, feed utilization and body composition of Pseudobagrus ussuriensis fingerlings (initial weight: 3.40 ± 0.01 g). Twelve diets containing four protein levels (350, 400, 450 and 500 g kg^?1 crude protein) and three lipid levels (50, 100 and 150 g kg^?1 crude lipid) were formulated. Fish were randomly allotted to 36 aquaria (1.0 × 0.5 × 0.8 m) with 25 fish to each glass aquarium. Fish were fed twice daily (08:00 and 16:00) to apparent satiation. The results showed that weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) decreased with increasing dietary lipid level from 50 to 150 g kg^?1 at the same dietary protein level. Fish fed the diets containing 150 g kg^?1 lipid exhibited higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), lower protein efficiency ratio (PER) and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) relative to fish fed the diet containing 50 and 100 g kg^?1 lipid. Weight gain and SGR significantly increased with increasing dietary protein from 350 to 450 g kg^?1 at the same dietary lipid level, and even a little decline in growth with the further increase in dietary protein to 500 g kg^?1. Daily feed intake, NRE and PER were significantly affected by both dietary protein and lipid levels (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease with increasing dietary protein and lipid levels. Whole‐body protein content increased as protein levels increased and lipid levels decreased. Whole‐body lipid and muscle lipid content increased with increasing dietary lipid level, and decreased with increasing dietary protein at each lipid level. There was no significant difference in condition factor and viscerosomatic index among fish fed the diets. Hepatosomatic index was affected by dietary lipid level (P < 0.05), and increased with increasing dietary lipid level at the same protein level. These results suggest that the diet containing 450 g kg^?1 protein and 50 g kg^?1 lipid with a P/E ratio of 29.1 mg protein kJ^?1 is optimal for growth and feed utilization of P. ussuriensis fingerlings under the experimental conditions used in the study.