The specific dynamic action of southern catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silurus meridonalis</Emphasis> Chen,fed diets containing either raw or precooked corn starch or glucose

The growth performance of carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis) was lower when fed a diet containing glucose as a carbohydrate source than when fed one containing starch. To test whether this decreased growth performance was partly due to higher metabolic costs induced by the fast assimilation of dietary glucose, the postprandial metabolic responses of southern catfish juvenile (36.7 ± 1.9 g) fed diets containing either raw or pre-cooked corn starch and glucose were investigated at 27.5°C. The peak metabolic rate of fish fed a raw corn starch diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed precooked corn starch and glucose diets (P < 0.05). The specific dynamic action (SDA) coefficients (energy expended on SDA as a percentage of energy content of the meal) of fish fed raw or precooked corn starch diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed a glucose diet (P < 0.05). The postprandial metabolic rate of fish fed a raw starch diet displayed a classic response – increased metabolic rate immediately after feeding, followed by a decreased metabolic rate several hours after feeding – as has been documented earlier in this species. However, the postprandial metabolic rate of fish fed a glucose diet had two alternating cycles of increasing and decreasing metabolic rate, which has not been reported previously. This bimodal pattern of the SDA curve was also found in a subsequent experiment in which purified d-glucose (0.1 g dry mass) was packed into sections of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) intestine (0.05 g dry mass). The results suggest that the digestibility and absorption speed of the dietary carbohydrate has a significant effect on postprandial metabolic response in juvenile southern catfish. The results of this study may provide useful data in terms of the utilization of dietary carbohydrates by carnivorous fishes.     

Utilization of different raw and pre-gelatinized starch sources by juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus

Raw corn starch (RCS), raw tapioca starch (RTS), raw potato starch (RPS), pre‐gelatinized corn starch (PCS), pre‐gelatinized tapioca starch (PTS) and pre‐gelatinized potato starch (PPS) were evaluated as starch sources in diets for yellowfin seabream Sparus latus in a 56‐day growth trial. Seven isonitrogenous semi‐purified diets comprising a non‐starch cellulose control diet and the six different starch sources holding 200 g kg⁻¹ starch each were prepared and fed to triplicate groups of juvenile yellowfin seabream S. latus. Fish were fed for 8 weeks. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) for fish fed RCS, RTS and RPS diets were equal, as well as for fish fed PCS, PTS and PPS diets, but values in groups fed the raw starch sources were significantly higher compared with fish fed the pre‐gelatinized starches. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio in fish fed different starch source diets showed no significant differences but were significantly higher than those fed a non‐starch control diet. Protein productive value was improved by starch incorporation to diets. PCS, PTS or PPS groups showed lower feed intake compared with RCS, RTS or RPS groups, and the differences were significant between PCS, PPS and RCS, RPS groups. Whole‐body protein and ash contents and muscle compositions were not affected by different starch sources. Whole‐body and liver lipid contents, liver moisture and glycogen contents were significantly affected by starch source. Values of hepatosomatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio, viscerosomatic index and condition factor did not vary between experimental treatments. Plasma total protein concentration for RCS, RTS or RPS fed fish was significantly higher than that for PCS, PTS or PPS fed fish, but significantly lower than that for non‐starch fed fish. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were unaffected by starch source, but were significantly higher in fish fed the non‐starch control diets. Plasma glucose concentrations in all dietary groups were relatively stable. In conclusion, raw corn, tapioca and potato starches at a 200 g kg⁻¹ inclusion level were well utilized as energy sources by yellowfin seabream, which was evidenced by better WG and SGR. Pre‐gelatinization of the starches had no positive effect on starch utilization.     

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 dietary blend of fish oil with corn oil on growth and non-specific immune responses of grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus

A growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of fish oil and corn oil on the growth and non‐specific immune responses of juvenile grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus. Five semi‐purified diets were supplemented with 40 g kg⁻¹ of either fish oil (F4), corn oil (C4) or blend of fish oil with corn oil at ratio of 3 : 1 (F3C1); 1 : 1 (F2C2) and 1 : 3 (F1C3). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of grouper (mean initial weight: 10.26 ± 0.14 g) in a recirculating rearing system for 8 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency of fish fed the F4, F3C1 and F2C2 diets were the highest (P < 0.05), followed by fish fed the F1C3 diet, and the lowest in fish fed the C4 diet. Fish fed the C4 diet had a lower survival rate than fish on other dietary treatments. Fatty acid composition of liver and muscle in fish generally reflected the composition of the diet. Leukocyte superoxide anion (O⁻₂) production ratio was the highest in fish fed the F3C1 and F2C2 diets, followed by fish fed the F4 and F1C3 diets, and the lowest in fish fed the C4 diet. Fish fed the F3C1 and F2C2 diets had higher plasma lysozyme activities than fish fed the F4 and C4 diets. Plasma alternative complement activity was higher in fish fed the F3C1, F2C2 and F1C3 diets than fish fed the F4 and C4 diets. These results suggest that grouper fed diets with 3 : 1 or 1 : 1 of fish oil to corn oil ratio had similar growth to the fish fed diet with fish oil. Blend of fish oil with corn oil in diet significantly enhanced non‐specific immune responses of grouper when the fed diet contained fish oil as the only lipid source.     

Effect of dietary composition on specific dynamic action in southern catfish Silurus meridionalis Chen

The effect of dietary macronutrient composition on specific dynamic action (SDA) in southern catfish Silurus meridionalis Chen juveniles (39.0±2.8 g) was studied. A control diet (40% protein, 10% lipid and 15% carbohydrate) was the optimal dietary profile for growth in this catfish according to a previous study. Based on this, two diets were formulated by substituting protein and lipid for one another, referred to as LPHL (30% P:15% L) and HPLL (50% P:5% L), and two diets were formulated by substituting protein and carbohydrate for one another, referred to as LPHC (30% P:30% C) and HPLC (50% P:0% C). The results showed that dietary composition affected the peak metabolic rate, duration and SDA coefficient. The peak metabolic rate in the LPHC group (211.5 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1) was significantly lower than catfish in the control (265.2 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) and the HPLC (257.7 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) group. The SDA duration in the control group (26.8 h) was significantly shorter than those of the HPLL (38.0 h), LPHC (33.8 h) and HPLC (33.8 h) groups. The SDA coefficient in the LPHL group (11.1%) was significantly lower than those of the control and the other groups (13.2–15.4%). The results suggest that in southern catfish, the SDA response to dietary carbohydrate is similar to that of dietary protein, and that the SDA may not be affected solely by an increase in the amount of protein ingested, but may be influenced by interaction of other dietary components.     

Effect of supplemental phytase on growth, phosphorus digestibility and bone mineralization of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L)

The effect of dietary phytase on phosphorus (P) digestibility, growth, bone mineralization and plasma P of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was investigated. Five diets, D0, DP, PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4, were used. D0 contained no supplement. DP was supplemented with 2.6 g P (Na₂HPO₄× 2H₂O) kg⁻¹. PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4 comprised 1000, 2000 and 4000 U phytase [Ronozyme P (CT)] kg⁻¹. D0, PHYT1, PHYT2, PHYT4 had average of 7.95 g P kg⁻¹; DP contained 10.3 g P kg⁻¹. After 126 days of feeding, fish grew from 115 to 347 g (D0), 583.7 g (DP), 352.6 g (PHYT1), 393.3 g (PHYT2) and 406.4 g (PHYT4). Addition of phytase significantly increased daily feed intake, but only led to a marginal improvement in the weight gain, SGR and FCR of fish fed PHYT2 and PHYT4 compared with fish fed D0. Fish fed DP showed the best (P<0.05) growth performances. Fish fed DP and PHYT4 significantly digested dietary P more than the fish fed D0. Fish fed D0, PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4 retained higher (P<0.05) Zn in their bones than fish fed DP. However, there was no further effect on bone mineralization. Plasma P scarcely improved by between 14% and 26% in fish fed PHYT2 and PHYT4 relative to fish fed D0. P concentration of the faeces was reduced by about 9–22% in fish fed PHYT1 and PHYT4 compared with fish fed D0.     

Feed processing affected the digestibility of carbohydrate sources for dourado Salminus brasiliensis

Carbohydrate utilization by fish varies with feeding habits and feed processing. Extruded aquafeeds have increased digestibility of carbohydrate sources resulting from the cooking and gelatinization of this nutrient, making it readily available for all aquatic species. This study aimed at determining the effects of extrusion cooking of feeds in the digestibility of different dietary carbohydrate sources for dourado. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (530 g kg^?1 crude protein and 20.80 MJ kg^?1 gross energy) containing either corn, toasted cassava flour, wheat flour, broken rice, cassava starch, or corn starch, in extruded or pelletized form and added of chromic oxide as inert marker, were fed to groups of juvenile dourado (73.97 ± 12.0 g; n = 40) stocked in 500‐L polyethylene tanks. Extrusion cooking improved the digestibility of energy and/or starch of corn, cassava starch, wheat flour, rice and corn starch (P < 0.05), but did not affect digestibility of toasted cassava flour (P > 0.05). It is thus fair to infer that dourado, despite being a carnivorous species, is properly fit to digest wheat flour, rice and corn starch in natural form.     

Dietary nucleotide supplementation enhances growth and immune responses of grouper,Epinephelus malabaricus

Basal diet containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g kg^?1 mixture of inosine monophosphate (IMP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), uridine monophosphate (UMP) and cytidine monophosphate (CMP) (1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1) (mixed‐NT; Experiment 1) and 1.5 g kg^?1 from each nucleotides and mixed‐nucleotides (NT; Experiment 2) were fed to triplicate groups of grouper for 8 weeks. Basal diet without NT was used as control in both Experiments. In Experiment 1, fish fed the diet with 1.5 g mixed‐NT kg^?1 had higher (P < 0.05) weight gain (WG) than the control group. The superoxide anion (O₂^?) production ratio was higher in fish fed diets with 1.0–1.5 g mixed‐NT kg^?1 than the fish fed diets with ≤0.5 g mixed‐NT kg^?1. In Experiment 2, fish fed diets with nucleotides had higher WG than the control group. The O₂^? production ratio was higher in fish fed the diet with 1.5 g AMP kg^?1, followed by fish fed diets with 1.5 g UMP and mixed‐NT kg^?1, and lowest in the control group. These results suggest that growth and immune responses were enhanced in grouper fed diet with 1.5 g mixed‐NT kg^?1 diet. Diet with 1.5 g kg^?1 of AMP seems to be more beneficial on the immune responses in fish than other nucleotides.     

The effect of feeding diets containing deoxynivalenol contaminated corn on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri

Channel catfish were fed practical corn‐soybean meal diets for 10 weeks that contained various weighed amounts of ground, dried field corn contaminated with 20 mg deoxynivalenol (DON) kg⁻¹. Weighed amounts of DON corn were blended with weighed amounts of ground, clean corn that contained no DON (0 mg kg⁻¹) to yield five diets that had 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg DON kg⁻¹ of diet. Results show that catfish fed diets that contained DON for 7 weeks did not experience lower weight gains or poorer feed conversion ratios that were significantly (P > 0.05) different from control‐fed fish. Mortality of catfish during the 21‐day post‐challenge period indicate that catfish fed diets containing DON‐contaminated corn that provided at least 5.0 mg DON kg⁻¹ of diet had significantly (P < 0.05) lower mortality than catfish fed the control diet or the diet that provided 2.5 mg DON kg⁻¹ of diet. The presence of DON‐contaminated corn in the experimental diets did not significantly (P > 0.05) alter fish body weight gains and appeared to provide a protective effect for channel catfish challenged with the pathogenic bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri.     

Effects of raw corn starch levels on growth, feed utilization, plasma chemical indices and enzyme activities in juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus Houttuyn

A 10‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of raw corn starch levels on the growth, feed utilization, plasma chemical indices and metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus. Four semi‐purified experimental diets with different raw corn starch levels (5%, 10%, 20% and 26%) and a high‐protein control diet were prepared before the experiment and hand‐fed to triplicate groups of juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus. Weight gain and specific growth rate for fish fed the diet containing 26% raw corn starch were significantly lower than those for fish fed 10% or 20% corn starch diets or the high‐protein control diet. Fish fed 10% or 20% corn starch diets had a slightly better growth performance than those fed the 5% corn starch diet. Feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio (PER) for 20% raw corn starch fed fish were the highest among all groups, although no statistically significant differences were found among the experimental groups. The high‐protein control group had a significantly lower PER value than other groups. Protein productive values for fish fed the 5% raw corn starch diet and the high‐protein control diet were significantly lower than those of fish fed the 20% raw corn starch diet, but not significantly different from the values of any other group. The values of intraperitoneal fat ratio, viscerosomatic index and condition factor, as well as body and muscle compositions, were unaffected by corn starch levels. The hepatosomatic index and liver glycogen level for fish fed 5%, 10%, 20% raw corn starch and the high‐protein control diets were equal but significantly lower compared with that of fish fed the 26% raw corn starch diet. Plasma values of the fish were not affected by various dietary treatments, except that a significantly higher plasma glucose concentration was measured in the high‐protein control group compared with the values in the other groups. There were variations in the activities of hepatic hexokinase and pyruvate kinase of the yellowfin seabream after they had been fed different dietary raw corn starch levels for 10 weeks. The overall results showed that a 20% inclusion level of raw corn starch in the diet was better utilized by juvenile yellowfin seabream than 5%, 10% or 26% levels and had a protein‐sparing effect.     

Effect of different diets on growth and digestive enzyme activity in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) early post-larvae

Growth rate, soluble-protein content and digestive-enzyme activities were studied in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) early post-larvae under six feeding regimens, which included combinations of freshly hatched Artemia nauplii, an artificial diet and algae. Growth (0.11 mg DW day⁻¹) and soluble-protein content (61.8 μg protein larvae⁻¹ at PL₁₀) of post-larvae fed mixed diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05). An artificial diet used alone or co-fed with algae caused the lowest growth (0.03–0.05 mg DW day⁻¹) and soluble-protein content (13.7–15.5 μg protein larvae⁻¹ at PL₁₀). Trypsin-like activity was higher (up to 10 times) in post-larvae fed Artemia nauplii and an artificial diet alone or plus algae. The artificial diet stimulated chymotrypsin activity, apparently in response to squid meal present in this diet. Amylase activity increased when post-larvae were fed the artificial diet. This was apparently related more to the origin of the starch than to the total carbohydrate level of the diet. No obvious relationship was found between enzyme activity and growth in any feed combination. Based on growth and soluble-protein content, we determined that partial substitution (50%) of Artemia nauplii by artificial diet and the use of algae co-fed beyond the first post-larval stage benefits growth and the nutritional state of L. vannamei post-larvae.     

Growth,body composition,ammonia tolerance and hepatopancreas histology of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets containing different carbohydrate sources at low salinity

Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei farmed at 3.0 psu were fed five diets containing glucose, sucrose, wheat starch, corn starch or potato starch as the carbohydrate (CBH) source. Shrimp were fed for 50 days to explore the effect of dietary CBH source on growth, body composition and ammonia tolerance. The specific growth rate of body length of shrimp fed glucose was the highest and significantly higher than those fed potato starch. The survival rate of shrimp fed glucose was 89.44%, and it was the highest and significantly higher than those fed wheat starch. Whole shrimp body crude protein and lipid of the corn starch group were 140.2 g kg^?1 and 10.1 g kg^?1 respectively. And they were significantly higher than those fed wheat starch. Shrimp fed potato starch had higher hepatopancreas and muscle glycogen. Shrimp fed sucrose had higher glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and lower pyruvate kinase activities (P < 0.05). Besides, shrimp fed starch produced more B cells in hepatopancreas tubules than those fed glucose or sucrose. Shrimp fed different sources of CBH differed in the number of R cells. After 96‐h of ammonia nitrogen challenge, the survival rate of the treatments from high to low in turn was glucose, wheat starch, corn starch, sucrose and potato starch, and no significant differences were observed among all treatments. Based on shrimp growth and the economic problems of practical production, we recommend wheat starch as CBH source in practical diets for L. vannamei farmed at low salinities.     

Utilization of different carbohydrate sources and starch forms by bagrid catfish (Mystus nemurus) (Cuv & Val)

Two experiments were conducted to ascertain the utilization of different carbohydrate sources and different forms of starch present in bagrid catfish (Mystus nemurus) fry. The nutritional quality and starch forms of cornstarch, dextrin, broken rice, and sago flour were evaluated in a 4 × 2 factorial design. All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (400 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isolipidic (150 g kg^?1 crude lipid), fed to triplicate groups of bagrid catfish fry (initial weight 6.04 ± 0.04 g). Growth studies, enzymatic response and postprandial plasma glucose were observed. A two‐way anova (P > 0.05) analysis of the data obtained showed that the final body weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected by carbohydrate source, but not significantly affected by starch form. Fish fed broken rice and corn starch had similar SGR and FCR compared to fish fed with dextrin and sago flour. The postprandial plasma glucose trend in fish fed with corn starch and broken rice showed a gradual increase while sago flour and dextrin‐fed fish peaked at 2 and 3 h, respectively. Lipogenic enzyme (G6PDH) activity were more pronounced than gluconeogenic enzyme (ME) in M. nemurus irrespective of carbohydrate source and starch form. Therefore, we suggest that raw broken rice and corn starch are suitable carbohydrate sources in the M. nemurus diet.     

Growth and metabolic responses of juvenile Macrobrachium nipponense to different dietary carbohydrate levels

It remains controversial whether carbohydrate can be efficiently used by crustaceans. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid diets were formulated containing 50–350 g kg^–1 corn starch and were fed to juvenile prawns (mean weight, 0.133 ± 0.003 g) for 56 days in five replicates. Prawns fed 50–150 g kg^–1 corn starch attained significantly greater weight gain. Digestive enzyme activities were significantly affected by dietary corn starch level. Hepatopancreatic and muscle glycogen levels peaked in prawns fed 350 g kg^–1 and 150 g kg^–1 corn starch content, respectively. Prawns fed 350 g kg^–1 corn starch had a significantly higher haemolymph glucose level than that in the other groups. Hepatopancreatic hexokinase (HK) activity increased significantly as corn starch level was increased. Hepatopancreatic pyruvate kinase (PK) activity of prawns fed the 150 g kg^–1 and 250 g kg^–1 corn starch was significantly higher than that of prawns fed 50 g kg^–1 corn starch. Including carbohydrate in the diet promoted increased lipogenic activities (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) in the hepatopancreas. Hepatopancreatic HK and PK mRNA expression levels had similar trends with their activities. The 350 g kg^–1 corn starch level induced the highest glucose‐6‐phosphatase and pyruvate carboxylase mRNA expression levels. Overall, moderate metabolic adaptations for using dietary corn starch were detected in Macrobrachium nipponense; however, a high proportion (>150 g kg^–1 ) of corn starch in the diet may reduce growth.     

Dietary calcium requirements of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus, reared in fresh water

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the dietary calcium (Ca) requirement for juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus reared in nature water. Purified diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet providing of 0.6, 1.6, 2.6, 3.7, 4.7, 5.5, 7.5 and 10.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, were fed to tilapia (mean initial weight: 0.52 ± 0.01 g, n = 3) for 8 weeks. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish in a closed, recirculating fresh water rearing system. The rearing water contained 27.1–33.3 mg L⁻¹ Ca. The tilapia fed the diets supplemented with ≥3.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ had significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain, when compared with fish fed the diet with ≤1.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Fish fed the unsupplemented control showed significantly lower weight gain when compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Bone Ca concentration was highest in fish fed the diets with ≥4.7 g Ca kg⁻¹, intermediate in fish fed the diet with 2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹ and lowest in fish fed the control diet. Scale Ca concentration was higher in fish fed the diets with ≥3.7 g Ca kg⁻¹ than in fish fed the diets with ≤2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was 36% increased in fish fed the diets with ≥2.6 g Ca kg⁻¹ than fish fed the diets with <1.6 g Ca kg⁻¹. Analysis by broken‐line regression of weight gain, bone and scale Ca concentrations indicated that the adequate dietary Ca concentration for tilapia in water containing 27.1–33.3 mg Ca L⁻¹ was 3.5, 4.3 and 4.2 g Ca kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, supplied as Ca‐lactate.     

Rates of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of juvenile Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis L.

The impact of feeding, fish size (body weight from 18.5 to 56.5 g) and water temperature (20 and 23 °C) on oxygen consumption (OC, mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1) and ammonia excretion (AE, mg TAN kg^–1 h^–1) was studied in Eurasian perch held in recirculation systems. OC for both fed and feed-deprived (3 days) fish was higher at 23 °C (278.5 and 150.1 mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1) than at 20 °C (249.3 and 135.0 mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1; P < 0.01). AEs for both fed and feed-deprived fish were also significantly higher at 23 °C than at 20 °C (P < 0.001). Water temperature and fish size had a significant impact on the oxygen:feed ratio (OFR, kg O₂ kg^–1 feed fed day^–1) and ammonia:feed ratio (AFR, kg TAN kg^–1 feed fed day^–1; P < 0.001). Their average values at temperatures of 20 and 23 °C were 0.17 and 0.19 kg O₂ kg^–1 feed fed day^–1 and 0.009 and 0.011 kg TAN kg^–1 feed fed day^–1, respectively.     

Carbohydrate utilization by herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater fish species: a comparative study on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio. var CAS III) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate dietary carbohydrate utilization by omnivorous gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (2.4 ± 0.1 g) and herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (6.5 ± 0.1 g). Five isonitrogenous (370 g kg^?1) and isolipid (70 g kg^?1) diets were formulated with increasing corn starch levels (60, 140, 220, 300 and 380 g kg^?1). Results showed that specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) of gibel carp significantly increased from dietary starch of 60 to 300 g kg^?1 and then decreased from 300 to 380 g kg^?1, but those of grass carp showed no significant differences between treatments. Independent of dietary starch levels, grass carp gained significantly higher FE and PRE than gibel carp. Feeding rate (FR) of gibel carp was significantly higher than that of grass carp. In two fish species, high dietary starch (300 and 380 g kg^?1) tended to obtain higher hepatosomatic index (HSI), serum triglyceride, hepatic lipid and body lipid contents. Serum glucose concentration of grass carp was not affected, while that of gibel carp fed the starch of 300 g kg^?1 diet was significantly lower than those of the fish fed other four diets (60, 140, 220 and 380 g kg^?1). Grass carp showed high tolerance to dietary starch while dietary corn starch should be no more than 300 g kg^?1 for gibel carp. High starch contents may cause lipid accumulation in the liver and body.     

Dietary arginine requirement of fingerling hybrid Clarias (Clarias gariepinus×Clarias macrocephalus)

The dietary arginine requirement of fingerling hybrid Clarias (Clarias gariepinus×Clarias macrocephalus) (4.2±0.03 cm, 0.56±0.04 g) was determined by feeding six isonitrogenous (400 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) and isocaloric (17.9 kJ g⁻¹) amino acid test diets containing casein, gelatin and l ‐crystalline amino acids with graded levels of arginine (10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, 20.0 and 22.5 g kg⁻¹) for 4 weeks to triplicate groups. Diets were fed twice a day at 09:00 and 16:00 hours at 8% body weight day⁻¹. Maximum weight gain (523%), best feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.41), protein efficiency ratio (1.78) and specific growth rate (6.53%) were recorded in fish fed the diet containing arginine at 20.0gkg⁻¹ of the diet. Second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of live weight gain and FCR values indicated the dietary arginine requirement at 17.8 and 20.0 g kg⁻¹ of dry diet respectively. Significantly higher carcass protein and protein deposition values were recorded at the requirement level (20.0 g kg⁻¹). Higher fat and lower moisture values were obtained in carcass of fish fed the diet with 15.0g kg⁻¹ arginine. The maximum carcass ash value was noticed in the fish fed at 20.0 g kg⁻¹ dietary arginine. We recommend that the diet for hybrid Clarias (C. gariepinus×C. macrocephalus) should contain arginine in the range of 17.8–20.0 g kg⁻¹ of the dry diet, corresponding to 44.5 and 50 g kg⁻¹ of dietary protein respectively.     

Single or combined effects of fructo‐ and mannan oligosaccharide supplements and Bacillus clausii on the growth,feed utilization,body composition,digestive enzyme activity,innate immune response and lipid metabolism of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

In this study, we examined the effects of the following eight experimental diets, which varied in fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and Bacillus clausii concentrations, on the Japanese flounder: control diet (no FOS, MOS and B. clausii), diet F (5 g kg⁻¹ FOS), diet M (5 g kg⁻¹ MOS), diet FM (2.5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 2.5 g kg⁻¹ MOS), diet B (10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii), diet FB (5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii), diet MB (5 g kg⁻¹ MOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii) and diet FMB (2.5 g kg⁻¹ FOS + 2.5 g kg⁻¹ MOS + 10⁷ cells g⁻¹B. clausii). Japanese flounder, initially weighing an average of 21 g, were distributed into 24 net cages at a stocking density of 20 fish per cage. Each diet was hand‐fed to three groups of fish twice daily for 56 days. The weight gain rate (WGR) in fish fed diets B, MB and FMB were significantly higher than in fish fed the control diet, where the fish fed diet FMB had the highest WGR. Fish fed any of the diets, except diets F and B, exhibited better feed conversion ratio than those fed the control diet. Diets MB and FMB significantly elevated intestinal protease activity compared with the control diet, but only the diet FMB promoted amylase activity. Feeding diets FB and FMB increased body protein deposition; additionally, feeding diets B, MB and FMB significantly reduced body lipid deposition. Lysozyme (LSZ) activity was significantly higher in fish fed diets B, FB, MB and FMB than in fish fed the control diet. All diets, except diet M, decreased triglyceride (TG) levels compared to the control diet. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in fish fed diets F, FB and FMB were significantly lower than in fish fed the control diet. Without exception, no diets affected feeding rate, condition factor, body moisture, ash contents, phagocytic activity of leucocytes or cholesterol or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that diets supplemented with FOS, MOS and B. clausii improved growth performance and health benefits of the Japanese flounder more than other diets or the control diet.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate sources on growth performance and utilization for gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Günther)

The nutritional function of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides for omnivorous gibel carp and carnivorous Chinese longsnout catfish were investigated and the ability of these two species to utilize carbohydrates was compared. For each species, triplicate groups of fish were assigned to each of five groups of isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets with different carbohydrate sources: glucose, sucrose, dextrin, soluble starch (acid‐modified starch) and α‐cellulose. The carbohydrates were included at 60 g kg^?1 in Chinese longsnout catfish diets and at 200 g kg^?1 in gibel carp diets. A growth trial was carried out in a recirculation system at 27.8 ± 1.9 °C for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish with different food habits showed difference in the utilization of carbohydrate sources. For gibel carp, better specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) were observed in fish fed diets containing soluble starch and cellulose, but for Chinese longsnout catfish, better SGR and FE were observed in fish fed diets containing dextrin and sucrose. Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADC_d) and apparent digestibility coefficient of energy (ADC_e) were significantly affected by dietary carbohydrate sources in gibel carp. ADC_d and ADC_e significantly decreased as dietary carbohydrate complexity increased in Chinese longsnout catfish except that glucose diet had medium ADC_d and ADC_e. In both species, no significant difference of apparent digestibility coefficient of protein was observed between different carbohydrate sources. Dietary carbohydrate sources significantly affected body composition, and liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) activities also varied according to dietary carbohydrate complexity. Fish with different food habits showed different abilities to synthesize liver glycogen, and the liver glycogen content in gibel carp was significantly higher than in Chinese longsnout catfish. The influence of carbohydrate source on gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis was also different in the two fish species.