Effects of processing full‐fat soya beans and fish trim for sustainable sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria feeds

To quantify the efficacy and cost of different soya protein ingredients, heated soya beans (HSB) and underprocessed (SB) full‐fat soya beans (FFSB), soya protein concentrate (SPC) and trim waste from Pacific whiting (Merluccius productus) were incorporated into feeds for the cold water marine sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria). Feed ingredients for this study were processed using an experimental heated ball mill with demonstrated potential as an affordable process for rural or small‐scale feed production. The three feed treatments were formulated with equal amounts of soya protein and Pacific whiting process trim. The three feed treatments contained 46% protein and 18% lipid as dry matter. Three 480‐L tanks of 10 fish were used to evaluate each of the three feed treatments. Fish were fed to satiation every 2 days for 8 weeks. Weight gain of the treatment groups ranged between 56% and 105% over the course of the study. Fish growth was significantly better among fish receiving the feeds containing HSB and SPC than a feed containing SB. At the conclusion of the study, histomorphologic evaluations of the distal intestines of final fish were conducted. Varying levels of inflammation were measured for all three treatments. Fisher's exact test showed a significant reduction in mononuclear cell infiltration among fish fed heat‐treated full‐fat soya beans vs those receiving underprocessed full‐fat soya beans. Fish receiving HSB feed had significantly lower intestinal inflammation than SB fish. Based on our results, cost savings of $ 0.253/kg were calculated for the HSB feed over the SPC feed.     

Effect of feeding delay after self‐feeder activation on growth performance and feeding behaviour of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus L. 1758): application to submergible cages with surface hopper

Red porgies (Pagrus pagrus) of 20.6±1.5 g mean weight were reared in tanks under four delayed self‐feeding conditions (0=control, 7, 30 and 90 s) after rod activation. The time intervals were chosen to simulate the time taken for a commercial pelleted feed to transit the tube linking a surface‐mounted feed hopper and the depth at which a cage might be submerged. Daily feeding rate, growth, food conversion index and condition factor were quite similar but fish behaviour differed among conditions. Fish remained close to the feeding point in the first two treatments (0 and 7 s delay) but foraged more widely in the remaining treatments (30 and 90 s delay), only reconsolidating around the feeding point a few seconds before feed was released. Results are discussed in relation to learning capacity and adaptation of fish to feeding behaviour flexibility, in order to develop reliable self‐feeding systems suitable for submerged cages.     

Feeding of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum: Evaluation of practical feeds,comparison of commercial fishmeal replacers,and estimation of essential amino acid requirements

Three studies were conducted with juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum: (Study 1) a 10‐week feeding trial within floating net cages to test the nutritional efficacy of different dietary feeding regimes (trash‐fish control diet, a semimoist diet, an in‐house dry formulated diet, and a commercial cobia feed); (Study 2) a 10‐week feeding trial within an indoor water‐recirculating tank‐based system to test the nutritional efficiency of different potential dietary fishmeal replacers (poultry byproduct meal, soy protein concentrate, feather meal), a diet without taurine supplementation, and a commercial cobia feed; and (Study 3) estimation of the essential amino acid (EAA) requirements of cobia based on EAA whole‐body composition in fast‐growing cobia fed a trash‐fish‐based diet. Fish performance in terms of growth and feed efficiency was the greatest within the outdoor net‐cage feeding trial, with fish fed the control trash‐fish‐based diet exhibiting the best performance. Although fish growth was poorer within the indoor feeding trials, fish performance was similar for most diets, with apparent crude protein digestibility coefficients of over 75% being obtained in all experimental diets in both feeding trials. The estimated EAA requirements of cobia obtained during this study were similar to those reported for other similar marine carnivorous fish species.     

Circadian rhythms and individual variability of self-feeding activity in groups of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

An experiment was conducted to examine whether circadian self‐feeding rhythms exist in groups of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) and to investigate individual variability of self‐ feeding and its influence on growth. Ten trout of 144.9 ± 12.0 g (mean ± SD) were transferred to each of eight 290‐L tanks and given free access to feed via a self‐feeder. Fish in four of the eight groups were individually tagged, and the individual activating the trigger was identified using video observations. The self‐feeding activity of each group was recorded under a light:dark cycle of 16.5:7.5 h and under continuous light (LL) conditions. Although diel self‐feeding rhythms in the groups of trout were, in general, diurnal, night‐feeding activity was observed in the initial LD phase, but there was a progressive reduction and eventual cessation in most groups. Endogenous circadian self‐feeding rhythms were detected in the groups of trout under LL conditions. The trout formed dominance hierarchies of self‐feeding activity, with one or two individuals accounting for the majority of trigger actuations. However, the dominants did not occupy the area surrounding the trigger. Growth rates did not differ significantly between the dominants and the subordinates within the groups.     

Evaluation of Feed Attractants in Juvenile Senegalese Sole,Solea senegalensis

The Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, is a flatfish with increasing interest in the European aquaculture. However, one of the main limitations found in this species is related to the scarce attraction to commercial aquafeeds, thus determining low feed intake in fish farms. The aim of this study was to evaluate four ingredients of marine origin (fish meal hydrolysate [FMH], polychaete meal [POM], mussel meal [MUM], and squid meal [SQM]) as potential attractants for juvenile Senegalese sole. Four experimental feeds containing 10% of the potential attractants, plus a control diet without these ingredients, were evaluated. A total of 150 fish were distributed into ten 40‐L tanks (duplicate tanks per feed). A Latin square design was carried out, and hence all the experimental diets were offered to each tank in successive periods of 7 d. Fish were fed twice a day (morning and afternoon), and the feeding behavior of the animals was assessed by direct observations. Behavioral pattern assessed was classified as distant orientation, near orientation, or continuation of intake. The acceptability index for each behavioral phase and experimental feeds used was established for each observation. No behavioral differences could be noticed between the morning and the afternoon feedings. FMH showed the greatest attractant potential than among the ingredients assessed, and consequently this ingredient yielded the higher feed intake rates. On the other hand, POM was not the best attractant for juvenile Senegalese sole.     

Is there lipostatic regulation of feed intake in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.?

High‐energy feeds, with increased fat concentrations, are often used in salmon farming to improve feed:gain ratio. However, fish are thought to regulate ingestion to meet their energy and nutrient intake requirements. Further, feeds with excessive fat content will lead to increased adiposity, which is thought to exert a negative feedback on feed intake via lipostatic regulation mechanisms. A test of the lipostatic model of feed intake regulation was carried out on juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. (c. 165 g) in which body fat content (5.6% and 9.4% body fat) had been manipulated by feeding feeds with different fat concentrations. Thereafter, the fish were offered the high‐ and low‐fat feeds (15.6% and 26.5% dietary fat content) simultaneously, and our hypothesis was that feed preference and intake would reflect the state of fat storage. Thus, we predicted that, when given a choice of feeds, the lean fish would eat more, and that the body fat status of the groups would converge over time. The results indicated a general preference for the leaner feed irrespective of adiposity level, but leaner fish consumed more feed, grew faster and deposited more body fat than their fatter counterparts. Over time, body compositions converged among treatments, and differences in feed intake ablated. These findings seem to provide supportive evidence for a lipostatic regulation of feed intake in fish.     

Growth and body composition of rohu (Labeo rohita) fed diets containing oilseed meals: partial or total replacement of fish meal with soybean meal

A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth, feed utilization and body composition of fingerling rohu, Labeo rohita (4.5 ± 0.2 cm; 2.58 ± 0.04 g), fed five isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (15.7 kJ g^?1 metabolizable energy) diets in which the main protein contributors were: diet I, fish meal (FM); diet II, soybean meal (SBM); diet III, groundnut meal (GNM); diet IV, equal amounts of SBM, GNM and canola meal (CM); diet V, equal amounts of FM, SBM, GNM and CM. Fish were stocked in triplicate groups of 25 fish held in 70 L flow‐through tanks (water volume 55 L) and fed twice daily (0900 and 1700 hrs) to apparent satiation. Fish fed diet I exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) values for live weight gain and specific growth rate (% per day). Feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio were better (P < 0.05) in fish‐fed diets I and II. Fish‐fed diet II exhibited lower (P < 0.05) fat and ash contents in carcass. Based on these findings, a 70‐day trial (Experiment II) was conducted with six diets fed under the same conditions where FM was incrementally replaced with SBM. Fingerling L. rohita (6.7 ± 0.4 cm; 4.07 ± 0.02 g) were used for the study. Crystalline l ‐methionine was added to diets containing more than 250 g kg^?1 SBM. This second study showed no significant (P > 0.05) variation in growth, feed utilization and carcass composition for fish fed the different diets. In conclusion, SBM was more effective than GNM or CM, as FM was replaced in feeds for fingerling L. rohita and could completely replace FM when supplemented with methionine and fortified with minerals under the conditions of this study.     

Feeding behaviour, energy expenditure and growth of rainbow trout in relation to stocking density and food accessibility

The effect of stocking density on feed intake, feed utilization and feeding behaviour was studied in groups of rainbow trout submitted to different levels of food accessibility. In the first experiment, 18 groups of 100, 300 or 500 fish (initial individual weight 26 ± 0.5 g) were held in 1 m³ tanks where they were fed: in excess using belt feeders; or by means of self‐feeders with a fixed reward level (4 g per trigger actuation); or a reward level proportional to fish density (2 g/100 fish/trigger actuation). Final biomass after 125 days was c. 25, 70 and 100 kg/m³ in groups of 100, 300 and 500 fish respectively. Growth and feed intake was affected by fish density, feeding technique and reward level. However, feed efficiency, body composition, as well as nutrient retention and loss were unaffected by the treatment. In the self‐fed groups, daily pattern of feeding activity was affected by fish density when the reward level was fixed but not when the reward level was proportional to fish density. In a second experiment, groups of 100 or 500 fish (same initial individual weight) had access to one or three self‐feeders. Access to multiple self‐feeders had no positive effect on any of the studied parameters. The fish used only one of the three feeders at a time, and the three feeders where not used equally. We conclude that feed intake but not feed utilization was impaired by increased density, indicating that density in itself is not stressful to the fish. Food accessibility is the main factor responsible for the observed density – related decrease in growth.     

Effect of feeding stimulants on growth performance,feed intake and appetite regulation of mandarin fish,Siniperca chuatsi

Mandarin fish is a typical carnivorous fish, it can accept artificial diet after domestication, which is significantly essential to optimize its artificial diet. Nevertheless, only few studies were conducted on artificial diet of mandarin fish. Therefore, an 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of feeding stimulants on growth performance, feed intake and appetite regulation of mandarin fish. In this trial, six diets were formulated, a basal diet contained 80% of Fish Meal without feeding stimulants, named as Control, 0.4% inosinic acid meal, 0.4% L‐Alanine meal, 3% Yeast meal, 3% a commercial squid extract meal and 0.4% betaine meal were added into the basal diet to make five experimental diets, which were named as IM, AM, YM, SVO and BM respectively. At the end of feeding trial, SVO group showed higher feed intake, up‐regulated mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and down‐regulated mRNA expression of pro‐opiomelanocorticoid (POMC) significantly as compared to control group, which suggested that squid extract improved feed acceptability and promoted appetite in mandarin fish. Similarly, compared to control group, SVO group showed low food conversion ratio, high weight gain and SGR, indicated that squid extract enhanced the growth performance. Our results suggested that the appropriate level of squid extract addition could contribute to optimize artificial diet in mandarin fish.     

Self-feeding activity patterns in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) and their reciprocal hybrids

This study was conducted to monitor feeding activity of gilthead sea bream (Sa) and red porgy (Pp) and to investigate the hereditary effects on feeding in their hybrids (female Sa×male Pp, female Pp×male Sa), obtained after artificial crosses. All fish groups were held in 500-l tanks under ambient temperature (15–25°C) and light conditions (daylength from 9 h 30 min to 14 h 48 min). Fish (initial body weight 100–165 g) were fed by means of self-feeders, which were connected to a computer, recording fish feeding activity for a year. Results showed that there was a 24-h periodicity in all fish types over the experiment. In their daily feeding patterns, both parental species were diurnal: red porgies had a stable daily pattern over the experiment, while gilthead sea bream shifted their activity from a general daylight fluctuation in warm periods to an afternoon peak in cold periods. The Sa×Pp hybrids showed intermediate feeding patterns compared to their parents in warm periods and a pattern that was similar to the red porgy in cold periods, while the Pp×Sa hybrids had rather unchangeable daily feeding patterns, which were not related to the parental ones. The proportion of night feed demands increased in cold periods independent of fish group. The relationship between temperature and feed intake was species-dependent. Finally, this study indicated that feeding expression in hybrids was related to the combination of the parental genome, supporting our hypothesis for a hereditary influence on feeding activity in fish.     

SUBSTITUTABILITY OF FISHMEAL AND FISH OIL IN DIETS FOR SALMON AND TROUT: A META-ANALYSIS

Intensive aquaculture, especially the production of carnivorous species requires artificial feeding. Marine proteins are preferred to vegetable proteins, since fishmeal and oil provide the essential nutrients required by farmed fish. Given the stagnant production of industrial species and the rapid increase in aquaculture production, fishmeal availability would pose a biological constraint on aquaculture contribution to world fish supplies in the future, unless alternative feed sources can be incorporated in diets. In this paper, the technical substitutability between fish and vegetable-based feeds for salmon and trout are assessed through the estimation of Morishima elasticities of substitution. These are derived from a meta-analysis production function based on a large number of published feed trials. The results suggest that vegetable oil may be a potential substitute for fish oil, particularly in salmon aquaculture, but fishmeal is likely to remain a necessary component of feed unless some new feed source can be developed.     

Partial replacement of soybean meal with Methylobacterium extorquens single‐cell protein in feeds for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

A feeding trial was conducted with juvenile rainbow trout (15–16 g initial weight) to assess the effects of including single‐cell protein (SCP) produced from Methylobacterium extorquens in trout feeds. Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were produced: a control diet and two experimental diets containing 5% or 10% bacterial protein meal replacing soybean meal. Triplicate tanks, each containing 35 fish, were fed each diet to apparent satiation in a constant‐temperature (15°C), flow‐through tank system for 12 weeks. No statistically significant differences in final fish weight or other fish growth parameters were observed. Similarly, feed efficiency parameters showed no significant differences among groups. Nutrient retention indices (protein, fat, energy) were relatively high and similar among fish in each dietary treatment group, as were whole body proximate compositions. Fish survival was high, with a small but statistically significant increase for the 10% SCP diet. Overall, results demonstrate that SCP from M. extorquens is a safe and effective alternative protein for rainbow trout diets at the low inclusion levels tested. Slightly lower weight gain in fish fed the 10% SCP diet was largely due to lower feed intake, suggesting that adding palatability‐enhancing ingredients to feeds may allow higher levels of M. extorquens SCP to be used without compromising fish growth.     

Applications of fish nutrition research in aquaculture: the Taiwan experience

Fish is an important dietary animal protein in Taiwan. Fish production has increased from 20 000 tonnes (t) in 1938 to over 300 000 t today. The change in feed inputs from trash fish to formulated feeds enabled industrial production of fish food. Nutrition studies for shrimp began in the 1970s and continue today. Stable ascorbic acid derivatives have allowed industrial production of shrimp feeds and the development of the extensive production systems in Taiwan and elsewhere in Asia.     

The Effects of Live and Artificial Diets on Feeding Performance of Cultured Winter Flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus,in the Wild: Survival,Feeding, Growth,and Nucleic Acid Analyses

This research, which is part of a larger study designed to assess the feasibility of winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, stock enhancement in New Hampshire, identifies hatchery feeds that optimize feeding‐related performance of fish once released in the wild. Fish reared on post‐nauplii of brine shrimp, Artemia sp., white worms, Enchytraeus albidus, common burrower amphipods, Leptocheirus plumulosus, and formulated pellets were evaluated post‐release from in situ cages using survival, growth rate, feeding onset and incidence, stomach fullness, diet composition, and nucleic acid‐based condition as indicators of hatchery diet suitability. Amphipod‐reared fish had the highest mean stomach content index of all feed types, including wild fish. Wild and worm‐reared fish exhibited the most similar survival, overall stomach fullness, and diet composition profiles over time. Amphipod‐reared fish ranked highest in overall performance; however, if wild fish performance is viewed as the ideal for a stocked fish, worm‐reared fish performed optimally. This study describes hatchery feeding strategies that may ease the transition of flatfish released into the wild for stock enhancement.     

A Methodology for Evaluation of Dietary Feeding Stimulants for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

A simple and practical method for quantification of feeding stimulation of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was developed using feed preference as an index of comparison. Feed preference was defined as the percentage of shrimp observed in each feeding tray. Preliminary trials were undertaken with two commercial feeds (45% protein with 5% squid meal and 40% protein without squid meal). Results indicated the following criteria were suitable for use as methodology for evaluating feeding stimulation in 5-m diameter static flow tanks: shrimp density (2.5 shrimp/m2); observational period (1 or 2 h post-addition of feed to trays), feed rate (2%), and between-trial feed rate (2%). A further investigation was undertaken to evaluate the influence of protein level and source on feed preference using a basal diet consisting of wheat flour, casein, carboxymethyl cellulose binder, and limestone, with or without krill meal as a feeding stimulant. A significant difference was shown in feeding preference for the 16% protein/4% krill meal vs. one without krill meal; however, this relationship was not shown in 45% protein feed comparisons. A second trial comparing 0, 16,30, and 45 % protein/casein-based feeds showed similar results. From these findings, it was postulated that casein, itself, also serves as a feeding stimulant at high dietary inclusion levels. A third trial comparing 16% protein/casein or wheat gluten-based feeds Indicated a delay of at least 2 h in maximum feeding preference response in feeds in which 4% krill meal was added as a feeding stimulant. It was postulated that chemical stimulants from krill meal were more slowly released in wheat gluten-based feeds. Our methodology appears suitable for evaluation of potential feeding stimulants when incorporated into low-protein casein-based or wheat-gluten-based feeds.     

Influence of stocking density on growth of juvenile red porgy Pagrus pagrus L. under different feeding conditions

The influence of stocking density and feeding regime on the growth of red porgy was studied during winter and spring 1997. Fish were held in 500-L tanks at densities of either 50 or 100 fish per tank, and were fed by means of self-feeders under 6 h restricted (day or night) or free-access feeding regimes. Fish were tagged individually, and weight gain was recorded by individual weighing every second week over an 8-week period during each season. In winter, growth was influenced by feeding time. Fish tended to grow best when fed without restriction and worst when fed at night, although differences were not significant when tank means were compared. Stocking density was influential in the spring trial. Fish stocked at low density and feeding freely grew better than high-density fish that fed either freely or at night. The division of fish into three size classes revealed that, within each treatment, no differences occurred among classes, but growth of fish belonging to the same class was influenced by rearing conditions. No significant differences were found among feeding regimes in terms of the coefficients of weight variation ratio (CV_f:CV_i) and feed efficiency.     

Diet,size and location as determinants of n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content in farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

We explored how currently manufactured feeds, under real‐world conditions and across geographically distinct locations, promoted flesh n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC‐PUFA, i.e. 20:5n‐3 + 22:6n‐3) levels in various life stages of farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Potential effects on flesh LC‐PUFA included: (1) diet and fish weight at one Canadian east coast farm, (2) diet and farm location across six east coast farms, and (3) diet and farm location between east and west coast farms. For objectives 1 and 2, salmon were fed a currently manufactured feed (labelled as feeds A, B or C) and harvested at 1, 3 and 5 kg. LC‐PUFA levels in 5 kg (harvest size) fish were then compared to previously published values for west coast farmed Atlantic Salmon (Obj. 3). Combined results revealed that variability in LC‐PUFA levels was better explained by diet than by fish weight or farm location. Fish size, however, was also important for two reasons. First, feeding a high LC‐PUFA diet early in life appeared important for ensuring high LC‐PUFA levels at harvest size. Second, salmon flesh LC‐PUFA levels increased with fish size, but only when dietary LC‐PUFA was provided above an apparent threshold value (~3000 mg per 100 g or 10% of total fatty acids) that likely promoted LC‐PUFA incorporation and storage. Overall, our comparison makes new recommendations for feed manufacturers and demonstrates that farmed Atlantic Salmon reared under real‐world conditions on currently available salmon feeds were good sources of n‐3 LC‐PUFA to consumers.     

Toxicity of melamine,an adulterant in fish feeds: experimental assessment of its effects on tilapia

Unscrupulous inclusion of melamine in fish feeds can be harmful to fish and may be hazardous to human health. An eight‐week feeding trial examined the effects of melamine (inclusion levels; 5–30 g kg^?1 feed) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, histopathological changes and melamine residues in sex‐reversed red tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) × O.mossambicus (Peters). Fish which received melamine‐containing feeds grew less, utilized feeds less efficiently and performed poorly, besides exhibiting defects such as fin erosion, anorexia, sluggish swimming behaviour, paling/darkening of skin and low survival. Melamine concentration in the fish reflected its inclusion level in the feeds, and the content was higher in the viscera than in the fish fillet or whole fish. Histopathological alterations were evident in the kidney, liver and gills of fish subjected to melamine treatment – the severity of lesions corresponded to its dosage. Enlargement of renal tubules was observed in the kidney of fish fed with ≥10 g melamine kg^?1 feed, although, crystals were not deposited. Fish subjected to melamine insult had more prominent lesions in liver than in kidney. Toxic effects on the gills manifested as epithelial hyperplasia of the primary and secondary lamellae. The anomalies were severe at higher intake levels of melamine.     

Replacing the substitute—Guar meal as an alternative for non‐genetically modified soybean meal in the nutrition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,Walbaum, 1792)

Soybean meal (SBM) is widely used in aqua feed products. In the European Union, only non‐genetically modified (non‐GM) SBM is accepted. However, global production of non‐GM soybeans is declining and is limiting its utilization in aqua feeds. Therefore, non‐GM SBM alternatives are required. In this study, guar meal was evaluated as a substitute for non‐GM SBM in test feeds for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish (initial weight of 57 ± 10.1 g) were stocked to 12 experimental tanks of a freshwater recirculation system with a stocking density of 6 kg/tank (500 L). Fish were organized in triplicate groups and received isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental feeds designated as control and test feeds 1–3, where 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg feed of non‐GM SBM was replaced by guar meal. During the experimental test period of 56 days, fish were fed twice a day until apparent satiation. Compared to the control group, daily feed intake of test feeds 1–3 was significantly increased by guar meal inclusion. No significant differences in feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate were detected among all the treatments. Furthermore, guar meal inclusion did not affect protein efficiency ratio. However, protein productive value was significantly impaired when guar meal incorporation was above 100 g/kg feed. In accordance with the affected protein productive value, the crude protein content of the proximate whole fish body declined significantly. In contrast, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, slaughter yield and fillet yield provided no significant differences between the experimental groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that non‐GM SBM could be entirely replaced by guar meal without affecting the general performance of fish and suggests guar meal as an appropriate alternative for non‐GM SBM in the nutrition of rainbow trout.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement on growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary fish oil replacement at an optimal level on the growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi or sea bass (Lates calcarifer). Ten fish feeds were formulated to contain iso‐ingredients with theoretically identical dietary lipid levels but with different sources of lipids (fish oil, soybean oil, canola oil and linseed oil) replacing dietary fish oil. Three hundred fish were equally divided into 30 70‐L plastic tanks (three replicate tanks for each treatment). Fish were fed with experimental diets for 40 days within closed recirculating freshwater systems (70 L h^?1, 28°C and 12L:12D). Growth, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass proximate composition were determined. Dietary lipids significantly affected (P<0.05) the growth of the fish. Good growth and low FCR were observed in all treatments. Therefore, fish oils can be partially replaced by vegetable oils to reduce the feed cost. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in lipid, moisture and protein content in fish carcasses among the group. However, juvenile barramundi showed increasing lipid and moisture content in muscle, whereas decreasing protein content when compared to the initial fish.