Dietary L‐tryptophan requirement of fingerling stinging catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

To quantify dietary L‐tryptophan requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.66 ± 0.08 g), casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (38% CP) and isoenergetic (14.72 kJ g^?1 DE) purified diets with eight levels of L‐tryptophan (0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%, 0.24%, 0.28%, 0.32%, 0.36%, 0.40% dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish twice daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Incremental levels of dietary tryptophan from 0.12 to 0.28% significantly (P < 0.05) improved absolute weight gain (AWG; 14.3–65.9 g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 5.9–1.5), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 6.2–32.2%), haemoglobin (Hb; 6.5 to 11.9 g dL^?1) and haematocrit (Hct; 23.5–33.8%). To determine the precise information on tryptophan requirement, data were subjected to broken‐line and second‐degree polynomial regression analysis. Broken‐line regression analysis reflected highest R² values for AWG g fish^?1 (0.999), PRE% (0.993), Hb g dL^?1 (0.995) and Hct% (0.993) compared with R² values obtained using second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of AWG g fish^?1(0.949), PRE% (0.890), Hb g dL^?1(0.969) and Hct% (0.943), indicating that data were better fit to broken‐line regression analysis. Hence, based on broken‐line regression analysis at 95% maximum response, tryptophan requirement of fingerling H. fossilis is recommended between 0.24% and 0.27% dry diet (0.63–0.71% protein).     

Effect of dietary l‐lysine levels on growth,feed conversion,lysine retention efficiency and haematological indices of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fry

Effect of varying dietary lysine levels on growth, feed conversion, nutrient retention, lysine retention efficiency and haematological indices of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (2.97 ± 0.11 cm; 4.78 ± 0.31 g) was studied by conducting a 12‐week feeding trial. Isonitrogenous (450 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (17.97 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets with graded concentrations of l ‐lysine (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 g kg^?1 dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation twice daily at 17 and 17:30 h. Maximum thermal growth coefficient (TGC, 0.82), best feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.28) highest protein retention efficiency (PRE, 36%), energy retention efficiency (ERE, 79%) and lysine retention efficiency (LRE, 75%) were noted at 24 g kg^?1 lysine of dry diet. Body protein was also found to be in line with growth data and peaked at 24 g kg^?1 lysine of dry diet. Similarly, superior somatic and haematological indices were exhibited by the groups fed dietary lysine at 24 g kg^?1 of the dry diet. However, exponential analysis of dietary lysine intake against TGC, lysine retention and protein retention indicated that inclusion of dietary lysine in the range of 13.24–14.14 g kg^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 29.42–31.42 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is essential for faster growth of this fish.     

Growth,feed conversion and body composition of fingerling stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fed varying levels of dietary l‐threonine

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary l ‐threonine on growth, protein utilization, threonine retention efficiencies, nucleic acid indices and body composition of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.6 ± 0.1 g; 10.9 ± 0.2 cm). Casein–gelatin based isonitrogenous (38% crude protein; CP) and isocaloric (15.3 kJ g^?1 digestible energy; DE) amino acid test diets with six levels of dietary l ‐threonine (0.75%; 1.0%; 1.25%; 1.5%; 1.75%; 2.0% dry diet) were prepared and hand‐fed to quadruplicate groups of fingerling to apparent visual satiation twice daily. Weight gain (WG; 46.3 g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.98), protein utilization efficiency (PUE; 0.25), threonine retention efficiency (TRE; 0.69), lipid productive value (LPV; 0.45), body protein (18.2%) and RNA/DNA ratio (3.6) of fish fed graded levels of dietary threonine increased significantly (P < 0.05) up to 1.49% threonine of dry diet. To generate precise information, the WG, RNA/DNA and LPV data were subjected to broken‐line and quadratic regression analyses. The two models were superimposed and requirement was determined by establishing the point, where the quadratic curve first intersected the plateau of broken‐line. Based on the above mathematical analyses, optimum dietary threonine requirement of fingerling H. fossilis was estimated to range between 1.62% and 1.69% of the diet, corresponding to 4.26–4.44% protein.     

Dietary histidine requirement of Singhi,Heteropneustes fossilis fry (Bloch)

Amino acids are vital for all living organisms including fish and histidine is an essential amino acid for fish. In view of this, dietary histidine requirement of fry Heteropneustes fossilis was determined by feeding casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (430 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (17.9 MJ kg^?1 GE; 15.5 MJ kg^?1 DE) amino acid test diets (10 to 20 g histidine kg^?1 dry diet) to quadruplicate groups of randomly assigned fish to apparent satiety for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG; 44 g fish^?1), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 20%), protein efficiency ratio (PER; 1.04), haemoglobin (Hb; 11.24 g dL^?1), haematocrit (Hct; 35.11%), red blood count (RBCs; 2.98 × 10⁹ mL^?1) and lowest erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 1.92 mm h^?1) were obtained at 16 g histidine kg^?1 dry diet. The 95% maximum quadratic response of above data exhibited the requirement to be at 15.2, 15.1, 15.6 and 15.5 g histidine kg^?1 diet. As histidine is found in higher concentration in haemoglobin, requirement obtained for Hct% and Hb is 4% greater than that required for maximizing weight gain and protein retention. Based on these results, dietary histidine requirement of H. fossilis fry is recommended between 15.1 and 15.6 g kg^?1, corresponding to 35.1–36.3 g kg^?1 protein.     

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (Bloch) based on growth,nutrient retention and haematological parameters

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (3.0 ± 0.5 cm; 5.1 ± 0.3 g) was determined by feeding casein‐gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (400 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isocaloric (17.97 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets containing graded levels of l ‐arginine (15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 g kg^?1 dry diet) for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG) (44.4), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.22), highest protein retention efficiency (PRE%) (41%), energy retention efficiency (ERE%) (75%), best condition factor, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index were noted at 21 g kg^?1 arginine of the dry diet. Maximum body protein (189.8 g kg^?1) was also obtained in fish fed above diet. Highest haematocrit value (35%), Hb concentration (9.54 g dL^?1), RBC count (3.44 × 10⁹ mL^?1) and lowest Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (1.93 mm h^?1) were obtained at the above level of arginine in the diet. AWG, FCR, PRE% and ERE% data were analysed using broken‐line and an exponential fit to obtain more precise dietary arginine requirement. On the basis of broken‐line and exponential analyses of AWG, FCR, PRE and ERE data, inclusion of dietary arginine in the range of 20.4–22.6 g kg^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 51–56.5 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is recommended for formulating arginine‐balanced feeds for rearing H. fossilis fry.     

Dietary biotin requirement determined for Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings

Triplicate groups of Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings (average wet weight 3.55 ± 0.03 g) were fed semi-purified diets containing six levels of biotin (0, 0.086, 0.26, 0.86, 2.5 and 4.3 mg kg⁻¹ diet) for 15 weeks. After 42 days of feeding, fish fed the control (no biotin) diet had developed severe deficiency signs characterized by convulsions, heavy mortality, listlessness, poor feed conversion and feed intake, dark skin colour, tetanus and weight loss. None of these signs was seen in fish fed biotin-supplemented diets. Among all the biotin-supplemented diets, percentage weight gain was significantly highest for fish fed the diet supplemented with 0.26 mg of biotin kg⁻¹ and significantly lowest for fish fed the diet supplemented with 0.086 mg of biotin kg⁻¹. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) patterns were similar to that of percentage weight gain. The carcass protein and lipid contents were influenced by the dietary biotin up to fish fed 0.26 mg of biotin kg⁻¹. Significantly higher body biotin content, liver pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylase activities were observed in fish fed biotin-supplemented diets than in fish fed the control diet. Broken-line analyses showed that the optimum dietary requirement for biotin for maximal weight gain, body biotin content, liver pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylase activities was about 0.25 mg kg⁻¹. Associated liver pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylase activities for normal growth ranged from 105 to 120 units mg⁻¹ protein and from 9 to 11 units mg⁻¹ protein respectively.     

Quantifying the dietary niacin requirement of the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings

A growth study was conducted to determine the dietary niacin requirement of the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings (Mean weight 9.41 ± 0.18 g). Semi‐purified diets with five levels (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg^?1 diet) of supplemental niacin were fed to H. fossilis for 15 weeks. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish. Results indicated that the highest (P < 0.05) weight gain was for the fish fed the diet supplemented with 20 mg niacin kg^?1, followed by fish fed the diets with 40, 10 and 5 mg niacin kg^?1, and the lowest in fish fed the unsupplemented control diet. Patterns of specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were similar to those of the weight gain. Survival of fish fed the control diet and niacin‐supplemented diet was 58% and 91–100% respectively. Niacin deficiency signs such as anaemia, anorexia, lethargy and skin haemorrhage were observed in fish fed the control diet. The haematocrit values (Ht) were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diets supplemented with niacin than in fish fed the control diet. The hepatosomatic indexes (HSI) of fish fed with or without niacin‐supplemented diets were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other. Both body protein and lipid content were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diet supplemented with 20 and 40 mg niacin kg^?1, respectively, than those fish fed other diets. The niacin content in liver significantly (P < 0.05) reflected the supplementation level in the diet and ranged from 29.11 to 40.31 mg g^?1 tissue. The associated liver niacin content for growth was about 47 μg g^?1 tissue. Quadratic regression analysis showed that the dietary niacin requirement for maximal growth of H. fossilis under these experimental conditions was about 25 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), using heat shock

Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy was attempted in Heteropneustes fossilis using heat shock. The optimal age of zygote, temperature level and duration of thermal shock required for effective induction of triploidy and tetraploidy was investigated in a series of experiments. A maximum of 82±7% triploids (3n=87) were obtained when fertilized eggs (2.5‐min old) were heat shocked at 40°C for 4‐min duration. A maximum of 40±8% tetraploids (4n=116) was obtained when the fertilized eggs (30‐min old) were heat shocked at 40°C for 4‐min duration. The triploid and tetraploid red blood cells (RBCs) nucleus volumes were 1.4 and 2.1 times greater, respectively, than that of the diploid RBC nucleus.     

Response of fingerling stinging catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) to varying levels of dietary l‐leucine in relation to growth,feed conversion,protein utilization,leucine retention and blood parameters

Growth response of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.8 ± 0.2 g; 11.2 ± 0.3 cm) to dietary l ‐leucine levels was assessed by conducting 8‐week feeding trial in a flow‐through system (1–1.5 L min^?1) at 28 °C water temperature. Casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (380 g kg^?1; crude protein) and isoenergetic [17.9 MJ kg^?1; gross energy (GE)] basal diet was supplemented with different levels of l ‐leucine to achieve desired leucine levels ranging between 10 and 22.5 g kg^?1 dry diet. Analysed values were 9.9 (Lc_9.9), 12.4 (Lc_12.4), 15.1 (Lc_15.1), 17.4 (Lc_17.4), 20.1 (Lc_20.1) and 22.4 (Lc_22.4) g leucine kg^?1 diet. Fishes were stocked randomly in quadruplicates and fed to satiation at 07:00 and 17:30 h. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein utilization efficiency (PUE%), leucine retention efficiency (LRE%) and haematological parameters were found in fish fed diet Lc_17.4. For precise determination of dietary leucine requirement of Singhi, AWG g fish^?1, FCR, PUE% and LRE% were subjected to broken‐line and second‐degree polynomial regression analysis. Second‐degree polynomial regression analysis fitted the data more accurately (P > 0.05) exhibiting high R² values. Hence, based on this analysis, dietary leucine requirement of fingerling H. fossilis is recommended to be 16.5 g kg^?1 of the diet, corresponding to 43.4 g kg^?1 protein for developing leucine‐balanced commercial feeds.     

Dietary arginine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis, Bloch)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary arginine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.25 ± 1.30 cm, 4.8 ± 0.65 g). Six isonitrogenous (400 g Kg^?1) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 2.5 g Kg^?1 containing graded levels of l-arginine (8.5–21.0 g Kg^?1, dry diet). Fish were randomly stocked in triplicate groups, in 75-l circular trough with flow-through system and fed experimental diets at 4 % BW/day at 0800 and 1800 h. Maximum live weight gain (277 %), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.52) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.64) were obtained in fish fed diet containing 16.0 g Kg^?1 arginine. However, quadratic regression analysis of live weight gain, FCR, PER and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirements for dietary arginine at 16.80, 16.30, 16.11 and 16.10 g Kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher whole body protein content, minimum carcass moisture and intermediate carcass fat contents were recorded at 16.0 g Kg^?1 dietary arginine diet. Ash content remained insignificantly (p > 0.05) low among all the treatments except at diet I and diet II. Based on the above results, it is recommended that the diet for young H. fossilis should contain arginine at 16.32 g Kg^?1, dry diet, corresponding to 40.80 g Kg^?1 dietary protein for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) and evidence for female homogamety

This study reports the results on induced meiotic diploid gynogenesis and female homogametic nature in the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The eggs of H. fossilis were inseminated with conspecific sperm. The sperm suspension was diluted to 1 × 10⁷ sperm mL⁻¹ in Hanks balanced salt solution. Sperm were irradiated under UV light, with the exposure time ranging from 15 to 360 s (7500 ergs mm⁻² for 60 s). The genetic inactivation of paternal chromosomes was confirmed by chromosome counting from the larval cells and the larvae also had a characteristic haploid syndrome. A typical ‘Hertwig effect’ in the yield of hatched larvae was observed with doses of UV exposure >75 s (9375 ergs mm²). Larvae resulting from sperm UV irradiated above 120 s (15 000 ergs mm²) were 100% haploids. Application of heat shock to the activated eggs was effective in suppressing the release of the second polar body (meiotic gynogenesis) and resulted in diploid gynogenetic larvae morphologically identical to those of the control. The best yield of diploid gynogens (49.3% with respect to the control) was found to be at 6 min after egg activation and the heat shock at 41 °C for a 1-min duration, at an ambient water temperature of 27 °C. A total of 113 diploid gynogenetic fry from seven different female fish were reared and subjected to sexing. All gynogenetic fish were female in contrast to the control, which had a mean sex ratio of 56.7% females (which was not significantly different from 50% female). From these results, the sex determination mechanism in H. fossilis was presumed to be female homogamety.     

Effects of dietary arginine levels on growth, feed conversion, protein productive value and carcass composition of stinging catfish fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying levels of dietary arginine on growth, feed conversion, protein productive value and carcass composition of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (10.11?±?0.14?cm; 5.87?±?0.07?g). Casein and gelatin-based isonitrogenous (38% crude protein) and isocaloric (14.72 kJ?g^?1 digestible energy) amino acid test diets with varying levels of l-arginine (1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00 and 2.25?g 100?g^?1 of dry diet) were fed to randomly assigned triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation twice daily at two feeding schedules (08.00 and 17.30?h). Thermal growth coefficient (TGC; 0.86), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.97) and protein productive value (PPV; 0.25) were best attained by the group fed diet containing 1.75?g arginine 100?g^?1 of dry diet (D4). Carcass protein content also peaked at the above level of dietary arginine whereas carcass lipid showed consistent drop with the increase in dietary arginine level up to 1.75?g 100?g^?1 of dry diet. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis at 95% maximum and minimum response of thermal growth coefficient, feed conversion, protein productive value, carcass protein and lipid productive value against varying levels of dietary arginine yielded that dietary arginine in the range of 1.51–1.66?g 100?g^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 3.97–4.37?g 100?g^?1 protein is adequate to optimize growth, feed conversion, protein productive value and improve carcass quality in fingerling H. fossilis.     

Determination of dietary phosphorus requirement of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis based on feed conversion,growth, vertebrae phosphorus,whole body phosphorus,haematology and antioxidant status

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary phosphorus requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fingerlings (7.7 ± 0.04 g). Fish were fed casein–gelatine‐based purified diets in triplicate groups near satiation with seven different levels of dietary phosphorus (3.2, 5.2, 7.2, 9.2, 11.2, 13.2 and 15.2 g/kg dry diet). All diets were formulated to be isoproteic (400 g/kg) and isoenergetic (17.89 kJ/g). Highest absolute weight gain (68.38 g/fish), best feed conversion ratio (1.48), protein retention efficiency (30.74%), protein gain (12.44 g/fish), haemoglobin (11.19 g/dL), RBCs (3.12 x10⁶/mm³), haematocrit (33.44%) and serum phosphate (2.82 mg/L) were found at 9.2 g/kg phosphorus. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were also significantly influenced by the dietary phosphorus levels. Whole body and vertebrae phosphorus concentrations increased significantly as the amount of dietary phosphorus increased from 3.2 to 11.2 g/kg dry diet and then plateaued. More accurate information on dietary phosphorus requirement was obtained by subjecting the AWG, FCR, vertebrae phosphorus and whole body phosphorus concentrations data against various levels of dietary phosphorus to broken‐line analysis, which yielded the requirement in the range of 9.0–11.0 g/kg for optimum growth and mineralization of H. fossilis.     

Dietary copper requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis for formulating copper‐balanced commercial feeds

Dietary copper requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis (6.74 ± 0.03 g) was determined by feeding purified diets containing same protein (400 g/kg) and gross energy (17.89 kJ/g) but different levels of copper for 12 weeks. Graded amount of CuSO₄.5H₂O (0, 1.96, 3.93, 5.89, 7.86, 9.82, 11.79 mg/kg) was supplemented to basal diet to attain desired dietary copper levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/kg). Analysed dietary copper concentrations were 4.28, 4.63, 5.28, 5.70, 6.19 and 6.69 mg/kg. Absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein gain improved with the increasing levels of dietary copper up to 5.28 mg/kg. Further inclusion of copper at a level of 5.70 mg/kg did not improve the above parameters. Significantly higher (p < .05) plasma ceruloplasmin, liver copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were evident in fish receiving diets with 5.28 and 5.70 mg/kg copper compared to other groups. Whole body and liver copper concentrations increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing dietary copper levels. Quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain and broken‐line regression analysis of plasma ceruloplasmin activity and liver TBARS value against the variable dietary copper levels depicted the dietary copper requirements for fingerling H. fossilis in the range of 5.24–5.68 mg/kg.     

Dietary amino acid l‐methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch‐1974) estimated by growth and haemato‐biochemical parameters

An 8 weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.08 ± 0.95 cm; 4.33 ± 0.52 g). Six isonitrogenous (40%) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 0.25 g 100 g^?1containing graded levels of _L‐methionine (0.30, 0.55, 0.80, 1.05, 1.30 and 1.55 g 100 g^?1, dry diet) with 0.40 g 100 g^?1 constant level of cystine. Twenty fish were stocked in triplicate groups, in 75‐L circular trough with continuous flow‐through system and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily, at 08:00 and 18:00 hours. Maximum live weight gain (296%), best feed conversion ratio (1.56) and protein efficiency ratio (1.60) were occurred at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine, beyond which they showed declining tendency. However, quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirement for methionine at 1.15, 1.08, 1.06 and 1.05 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05), higher whole body protein content, minimum moisture and intermediate fat contents were recorded at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 dietary methionine level. Ash content remained insignificantly (P > 0.05) low among all the treatments, excepting at diet I and diet II. Body protein deposition was also found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine level. Best somatic and haematological indices values were also obtained at the requirement level. Based on above results, it is recommended that the diet for young H. fossilis should contain methionine at 1.09 g 100 g^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 2.73 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein with 0.40 g 100 g¹ cystine concentration for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization. Thus, the total sulphur amino acid requirement of H. fossilis would be (1.09 + 0.40) 1.49 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 3.73 g 100 g^?1 of dietary protein.     

Dietary copper requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth,feed conversion,blood parameters and whole body copper concentration

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the dietary copper requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus. Six casein?gelatin‐based test diets (450 g kg^?1 crude protein; 18.81 kJ g^?1 gross energy) with graded levels of copper as copper sulphate (3.7, 4.7, 5.7, 6.7, 7.7 and 8.7 mg copper equivalent kg^?1 diet) were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of fish (7.25 ± 0.81 cm; 5.21 ± 0.27 g) near to satiation. Fish fed diet with 6.7 mg kg^?1 copper had highest absolute weight gain (AWG; 51.63 g fish^?1), protein efficiency ratio (PER; 1.42 g fish^?1), protein gain (PG; 8.34 g fish^?1), haemoglobin (Hb; 9.68 g dL^?1), haematocrit (Hct; 31.18%) and RBCs (3.24 × 10⁶ × mm^?3). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found to be best (1.57) at above level of dietary copper. Whole body copper concentration was found to increase with the increasing levels of dietary copper. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances concentration was found to decrease with increasing dietary concentrations of copper up to 6.7 mg kg^?1 beyond which a reverse trend in this parameter was noted. Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, FCR and PG concentrations against varying levels of dietary copper yielded the requirement in the range of 6.66–6.78 mg kg^?1. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating copper‐balanced commercial feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Dietary pantothenic acid requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth,feed conversion,liver pantothenic acid concentration and carcass composition

A 16‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary pantothenic acid requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus. Six casein–gelatin‐based diets (450 g/kg CP; 18.39 kJ/g GE) with graded levels of pantothenic acid (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.2 ± 0.71 cm; 4.26 ± 0.37 g) near to apparent satiation. The growth evaluation in terms of absolute weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) indicated the best performance (p < .05) in fish fed diet containing 30 mg/kg pantothenic acid. Highest haemoglobin, haematocrit and RBCs counts were also obtained in fish fed diet with 30 mg/kg pantothenic acid. Mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell volume were found to be lowest in fish fed pantothenic acid‐free diet indicating the anaemia in this group of fish. Superoxidase dismutase and catalase activities of liver tissue were found to improve (p < .05) with the increasing levels of dietary pantothenic acid from 0 to 30 mg/kg. However, liver pantothenic acid concentration responded positively with the increasing levels of pantothenic acid up to 40 mg/kg diet and then stagnation in liver pantothenic acid concentration with the further inclusion of pantothenic acid was recorded. Second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of AWG, FCR and PRE exhibited the pantothenic acid requirement at 36.4, 32.8 and 34.7 mg/kg diet, respectively. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating pantothenic acid‐balanced commercial feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Dietary amino acid l-tryptophan requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), estimated by growth and haemato-biochemical parameters

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary tryptophan requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.10 ± 1.15 cm, 4.44 ± 0.50 g). Six isonitrogenous (40 g 100 g^?1) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 0.1 g 100 g^?1 containing graded levels of l-tryptophan (0.04–0.54 g 100 g^?1, dry diet). Fish were stocked in triplicate groups, in 75-L circular trough with flow-through system and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily. Maximum live weight gain (258%), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.54) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.62) were obtained in fish fed diet containing 0.34 g 100 g^?1 tryptophan. However, quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR, PER and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirements for dietary tryptophan at 0.37, 0.33, 0.32 and 0.33 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher body protein, minimum moisture and intermediate fat contents were recorded at 0.34 g 100 g^?1 dietary tryptophan diet. Ash content was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments except for diets 0.04 and 0.14 g 100 g^?1. Excellent somatic and haematological indices values were obtained at the requirement level. Based on above results, it is recommended that the diet for H. fossilis should contain tryptophan at 0.32 g 100 g^?1, dry diet, corresponding to 0.80 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Dietary pyridoxine requirement of fingerling Channa punctatus (Bloch) based on growth performance,liver pyridoxine concentration,and carcass composition

Seven casein gelatin-based diets containing 450 g/kg CP and 18.39 kJ/g GE with different levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mg/kg diet) were fed to fingerling Channa punctatus (4.66 ± 0.46 g) for 12 weeks to determine pyridoxine requirement. Highest absolute weight gain (AWG; 25.81 g/fish, P < 0.05), protein retention (PRE; 23.69%, P < 0.05), energy retention efficiencies (ERE; 69.63%, P < 0.05), and minimum feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.48) were noted at 8 mg pyridoxine/kg diet. However, liver pyridoxine content achieved the positive correlation as the dietary pyridoxine increased up to 10mg/kg. On the basis of broken-line analysis of AWG, PRE, FCR, and liver pyridoxine data, pyridoxine requirement is recommended between 7.6 and 10.4 mg/kg of dry diet.     

Evaluation of fermented fish‐offal in the formulated diet of the freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to test the effect of partial replacement of fishmeal by fish‐offal (FO) in the diet for the freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Three isonitrogenous (31.4% CP) diets were formulated to include a reference diet (T1) with 40% fishmeal (FM) and 0% FO and two supplementary diets: one (T2) containing 25% FM and 25% FO and another (T3) containing 20% FM and 30% FO. The FO was fermented along with mustard oil cake and rice bran before using it as an ingredient in the preparation of feed. Two separate trials were conducted with these three diets: a growth trial and a digestibility trial. H. fossilis fed the diets containing FO showed better growth and proximate composition of carcass than those fed the reference diet. Fish fed T3 diet showed maximum feed conversion, protein utilization and growth. Apparent protein digestibility (APD) was also significantly higher in the T3 diet as compared with the T1 diet. The results of the trial indicated that using microbial fermentation, FO could be included up to a 30% level as a partial (50%) replacement of fishmeal in the formulation of diet for H. fossilis.