Growth,feed efficiency and body composition of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum Linnaeus, 1766) fed increasing dietary levels of shrimp protein hydrolysate

A shrimp protein hydrolysate (SPH) containing 894.2 g kg⁻¹ crude protein (CP) and 54.3 g kg⁻¹ total lipids was tested as a partial replacement for fish meal (FM) in diets of juvenile cobia. The effects of increasing dietary levels of SPH on the survival, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) and daily feed intake (DFI) of cobia with initial body weight of 11.9 g were evaluated. Four isoproteic (from 431.1 to 439.7 g kg⁻¹) and isoenergetic (20 825–21 347 MJ kg⁻¹) diets were formulated to contain 0 (Control), 120, 240 or 360 g kg⁻¹ of dietary CP derived from SPH. Survival, WG, SGR, FCR, NRE and DFI ranged from 90 to 100%, 40.2–56.5 g, 4.7–6.1% day⁻¹, 1.04–1.54, 26.3–44.0% and 4.7–6.0% fish⁻¹ day⁻¹ respectively. Survival and DFI were not affected by the dietary treatments. On the other hand, fish fed the control diet and the one containing 120 g kg⁻¹ SPH had higher WG, SGR and FCR. Nitrogen retention efficiency was significantly higher for fish fed diets 0 and 120. It is concluded that up to 120 g kg⁻¹ of SPH in cobia diets can be used with no significant effects on feed utilization and fish performance.     

Deposition of conjugated linoleic acid in market size sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and its effects on performance,composition and fillet sensory and texture attributes

The effect conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) accumulation in fish fillet on sensory and texture attributes has been evaluated. Fish were fed diets with graded levels of CLA, which were administered for different durations prior to harvest. Fish were sampled for fillet proximate composition and fatty acid profile for sensory and texture parameters at the end of the trial. Growth performance, feed conversion ratio and muscle proximate composition were not affected by dietary treatments. Muscle fatty acid profile was not affected by dietary treatments despite the increase in saturated fatty acids in fish fed diet with 10 g kg⁻¹ of CLA for 16 weeks before harvest. Besides, the deposition levels of CLA isomers increased gradually depending on the CLA treatment, reaching its maximum level in fish fed 10 g kg⁻¹ CLA diet for 20 weeks before harvest. Fish fed 10 g kg⁻¹ were juicier (P < 0.05) compared with control group, whereas fish fed 5 g kg⁻¹ CLA diet were less (P < 0.05) chewy than fish fed control diet regarding sensory attributes. Texture parameters were not significantly affected by dietary CLA. These results suggest that market size European sea bass could successfully incorporate CLA isomers with some minor positive effects on sensory analyses.     

Effect of feed colour on growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) larvae and fingerlings

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feed colour on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae and fingerlings. In the first experiment, triplicate groups of newly hatched larvae (0.01 g fish⁻¹) were stocked in 40 L glass aquaria at a density of 2 fish L⁻¹. The fish were fed a test diet (400 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) with six different colours (dark blue, dark green, red, dark brown, yellow and light brown) for 60 days. The best performance and survival were achieved in fish fed on dark‐coloured diets, while light‐coloured diets (yellow and light brown) resulted in inferior performance. Dark diets also produced higher body protein than light diets. Body water, lipids and ash showed irregular trends. In the second experiment, triplicate groups of Nile tilapia fingerlings (5.30 g fish⁻¹) were stocked in 140‐L aquaria, in a recirculating indoor system. The fish were fed a test diet (350 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) with the same colours used in the larval trial, for 60 days. Growth rates, feed efficiency, survival and body composition were not significantly affected by feed colours. These results suggest that Nile tilapia larvae are visual feeders, and they prefer dark‐coloured diets to light‐coloured diets, while fingerling fish showed no preference to diet colours.     

Comparative effects of dietary supplementation with maggot meal and soybean meal in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and darkbarbel catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli): growth performance and antioxidant responses

A 6‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with maggot meal (MGM) and soybean meal (SBM) on the growth performance and antioxidant responses of gibel carp (GC) and darkbarbel catfish (DC). The basal diet was formulated to contain 114 g kg⁻¹ fish meal (FM) and 200 g kg⁻¹ SBM. The basal diet was supplemented with either 280 g kg⁻¹ FM (Control), 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM or 450 g kg⁻¹ SBM to obtain three isonitrogenous (crude protein: 380 g kg⁻¹) and isocaloric (gross energy: 16 kJ g⁻¹) diets. For GC, a significant decrease in specific growth rate (SGR) was only observed in fish fed the SBM diet compared with the control (P < 0.05). Principal components analysis (PCA) of GC showed a higher similarity in antioxidant response to dietary supplementation with MGM and SBM proteins between liver and intestine, but the DC did not. The present results suggest that supplementing 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM protein to basal diet cause an enhancement of the antioxidant capacity in GC, but supplementing 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM and 450 g kg⁻¹ SBM proteins to basal diets resulted in a significant attenuation of the antioxidant capacity in DC.     

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

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

Fish meal replacement by soy protein from soymilk in the diets of red sea bream (Pagrus major)

Six isoenergetic diets were formulated as follows: fish meal (FM) 700 g kg^–1 (control, C), FM 300 g kg^–1 + soy protein concentrate 300 g kg^–1 (SPC), FM 300 g kg^–1 + enzyme‐treated SPC 300 g kg^–1 (ESC), FM 170 g kg^–1 + soy protein isolate 300 g kg^–1 (SPI), FM 160 g kg^–1 + enzyme‐treated SPI 300 g kg^–1 (ESI) and FM 150 g kg^–1 + conglycinin 300 g kg^–1(CG). Forty fish (3.9 g) were randomly distributed into each of eighteen 300‐L tanks, fed twice daily until satiation for 8 weeks. The final body weight, specific growth rate and condition factor did not show significant differences among the fish fed with diets C, SPC, ESC and ESI (p > .05). The survival was significantly lower in fish fed with diets SPI and CG. Feed efficiency was significantly higher in fish fed with diets SPC and C than in fish fed with other diets (p < .05). There were no significant differences in nutrients retention efficiencies in fish fed with diets C, SPC, ESC and ESI. A significantly higher phosphorus retention efficiency in fish fed with soymilk protein diets resulted in lower phosphorus discharge to the environment (p < .05). These results suggest that the soymilk proteins can comfortably replace 570–770 g FM kg^–1 diet of red sea bream juvenile, which will ensure significant ecological benefits through reducing phosphorus load to the environment.     

Effects of replacing soybean meal with rubber seed meal on digestive enzyme activity,nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with rubber seed meal (RSM) on digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with 0 (control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM replacing graded levels of SBM respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial average weight 5.2 g) per aquarium in a rearing system maintained at 29 ± 1°C for 8 weeks. The hepatic protease and lipase activities gradually decreased with increasing dietary RSM level, but no significant differences were observed among the low inclusion level (0–200 g kg⁻¹) groups. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and ash showed a similar trend as the hepatic protease and lipase activities. The retentions of protein and individual essential amino acid (except lysine, threonine and leucine) in fish fed diet with 200 g kg⁻¹ RSM were similar to those in fish fed the control diet. These results indicate that dietary RSM inclusion level up to 200 g kg⁻¹ did not markedly affect the digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia, whereas these were depressed by the inclusion of 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM.     

Evaluation of two soybean meals fed to yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Aquaculture of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has been increasing, yet there have been few nutritional studies and no evaluations of alternative protein sources in diets. Solvent‐extracted, dehulled soybean meal (SBM) and expelled‐extruded soybean meal (exSBM) were fed to yellow perch to evaluate their effectiveness in replacing dietary fish meal (FM) in isonitrogenous practical feed formulations. Both soy ingredients were incorporated in graded amounts from 100 to 730 g kg⁻¹ of the diet. Feed consumption, weight gain, feed efficiency (FE) and survival were significantly affected by type of soy ingredient, concentration and the interaction of the two main effects. Consumption was significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 400, 600 and 730 g kg⁻¹ compared to fish fed diets containing lower concentrations. Weight gain was significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 600 g kg⁻¹ and FE significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 500 g kg⁻¹ compared to fish fed the control diet or lower concentrations of soy ingredients. Most fatty acid concentrations were affected by feeding exSBM compared to fish fed the control diet, but long chain fatty acids remained at relatively high concentrations. Based on feed consumption, weight gain and FE data, yellow perch are able to effectively utilize both soy ingredients in practical diets. A conservative recommendation of 300 g kg⁻¹ diet appears appropriate for growout diets.     

Evaluation of Calanus finmarchicus copepod meal in practical diets for juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

The copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, has potential as a new ingredient in practical feeds for marine fish. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of C. finmarchicus meals when fed to juvenile Atlantic halibut. The first study determined protein, lipid and energy digestibility coefficients of four C. finmarchicus meals prepared under different processing conditions. The second study evaluated growth and nutrient utilization efficiency of juveniles fed diets containing varying proportions of fish meal, plant meals and C. finmarchicus meal. Moisture, ash, protein, lipid and gross energy contents of the C. finmarchicus meals were 28–93, 74–138, 505–648, 123–269 g kg⁻¹, and 21–26 MJ kg⁻¹, respectively. Protein, lipid and energy digestibilities of C. finmarchicus meals were 91–99%, 90–95% and 90–99%. The digestibilities significantly decreased for the Calanus meals processed at higher temperatures. During the growth study, halibut fed a diet containing 240 g kg⁻¹ C. finmarchicus meal had significantly higher weight gain and growth rate than all other groups. Nitrogen and energy retention efficiencies ranged between 35–45% and 33–43%, and were significantly higher for fish fed 160–240 g kg⁻¹ C. finmarchicus meal than for fish fed plant protein and control diets. The results indicate that growth and nutrient utilization efficiency are improved in Atlantic halibut fed diets supplemented with C. finmarchicus meal.     

Effects of sodium diformate on growth performance,gut microflora,digestive enzymes and innate immunological parameters of Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) juveniles

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium diformate (NaDF) on growth performance, gut microflora, digestive enzyme activities and immune response parameters of Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) juveniles. Fish with initial weight of 12.5 ± 0.4 g were fed with five experimental diets contained 0.0 (control), 5, 10.0, 15.0 and 20 g NaDF kg^?1 in triplicate for 6 weeks. Fish fed diet containing 5 g NaDF kg^?1 had significantly the highest final body weight and feed intake among different treatments. The gut total viable bacterial counts gradually decreased with increasing dietary NaDF level. Specific activity of chymotrypsin improved in fish fed diets administered with NaDF compared to the control group. Fish fed 5 g NaDF kg^?1 diet showed the highest serum lysozyme level among different treatments. The serum classical pathway activity of complement showed higher level in fish fed diets contained 5 and 10 g NaDF kg^?1 than other groups. According to break‐point regression method analysis, the optimum inclusion of dietary NaDF in L. calcarifer juveniles was estimated between 4.6 and 5.1 g/kg, when specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were plotted against dietary NaDF levels.     

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.     

Dietary phosphorus requirement for juvenile bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum phosphorus requirement of juvenile bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis). Fish (initial body weight: 2.42?±?0.08 g) were hand-fed with six isoproteic (437 g kg^?1) and isolipidic (68 g kg^?1) diets containing graded phosphorus levels (0.90, 4.40, 8.30, 11.90, 15.50, and 19.30 g kg^?1) thrice daily to apparent satiation. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks, and each tank was stocked with 30 fish. The highest weight gain rate (WGR, 288.94%) and specific growth rate (2.28% day^?1) and the best feed conversion rate (FCR, 1.91) were recorded in fish fed 8.30 g kg^?1 phosphorus. The body composition analysis showed that the phosphorus contents in the whole body, muscle, vertebra, and plasma of fish fed the phosphorus-supplemented diets were higher than those of fish fed the control diet, whereas the phosphorus retention rate and crude lipid contents in the whole body and muscle presented the reverse results. The highest activity of lipase (41.97 U g^?1 prot) in the intestine was found in fish fed the diet with 11.90 g kg^?1 phosphorus. Further, the contents of total protein, albumin, and globulin in plasma were increased as dietary phosphorus levels ranged from 0.90 to 11.90 g kg^?1 and then decreased with further increased phosphorus levels. The highest contents of triglyceride (1.85 mmol L^?1) and total cholesterol (2.16 mmol L^?1) in plasma occurred at dietary phosphorus level of 0.90 g kg^?1. Broken-line model analysis based on WGR, FCR, and the phosphorus contents of the whole body and vertebra indicated that the optimal phosphorus requirements for juvenile bighead carp were 7.16, 9.02, 10.88, and 11.04 g kg^?1, respectively.

     

Nucleotide promotes feed intake and protein utilization via regulating the gene expression of feeding and nitrogen metabolism in juvenile Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi)

Nucleotide (NT) could enhance growth, feeding and immunity in higher vertebrate and fish. Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) refuse artificial diet in natural water, whereas the NT might promote its feeding of domestication diet. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary NT on growth, feed intake, feed utilization, body composition, serum biochemistry and nitrogen metabolism in juvenile Siniperca chuatsi. 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 g NT kg^?1 diet were supplemented in each diet, respectively. Triplicate groups of Chinese perch (36.21 ± 0.98 g) were fed twice a day to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish fed with 1.5 g NT kg^?1 diet had the highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed efficiency, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention efficiency. The crude protein content in whole body was highest in fish fed the diet containing 1.5 g NT kg^?1 diet. Dietary NT supplementation significantly increased the neuropeptide Y gene expression and significantly decreased the agouti‐related protein and pro‐opiomelanocortin gene expressions in brain. NT supplementation decreased urea nitrogen content, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase activities in serum. The hepatic AST activity was increased first and then decreased, and the highest activity was observed in fish fed with 1 g NT kg^?1 diet. Inversely, the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in liver and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate deaminase in muscle decreased first and then increased, and the lowest activity was observed in fish fed with 1.5 g NT kg^?1 diet. Similarly, the gene expression levels of GDH and arginase in liver were lowest in fish fed with 1.5 g NT kg^?1 diet. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis of WG in the present experimental condition, 1.44 g NT kg^?1 diet was the optimum supplementation level in juvenile Siniperca chuatsi.     

Lupin kernel meal as fishmeal replacement in formulated feeds for the Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Rapidly expanding global aquaculture requires sustainable, local protein sources to supplement the use of fishmeal. Lupin seed meal (Lupinus angustifolius) was tested as sustainable diet component for Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Controlled feeding experiments were conducted in a recirculating aquaculture system for eight weeks. Juvenile shrimps were provided formulated diets containing various levels of lupin meal inclusion (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg^?1) supplementing the fishmeal component, and a commercial feed as general reference. Shrimp survival, growth, metabolic and immune parameters were analysed. Survival did not differ significantly between groups. Growth performance was significantly impaired in shrimp fed diets containing more than 100 g kg^?1 lupin meal. Lupin meal supplementation did not affect haemolymph protein content, whereas glucose and acylglyceride concentrations varied between treatments and were highest in animals fed the 100 g kg^?1 lupin meal diet. Phenoloxidase activity was highest in shrimp fed 100 g kg^?1 lupin meal diet indicating improved immune status. The present study indicates that low inclusion levels of lupin meal do not cause adverse effects and seem to stimulate the immune system of juvenile L. vannamei.     

Replacement of dietary fish meal by soybean meal supplemented with crystalline methionine for Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate soybean meal (SBM) as a fish meal substitute in diets for Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas. In trial I, a control diet (C) contained 400 g kg^?1 fish meal, and 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the fish meal were replaced with SBM, supplied with 3 g kg^?1 DL‐methionine and 2 g kg^?1 L‐lysine (S20, S40, S60 and S80). In trial II, 60% and 80% of the fish meal in diet C were replaced with SBM, supplied with DL‐methionine at 3 g kg^?1 (S60, S80) or 6 to 7 g kg^?1 (RS60, RS80). The feed intake was lower in fish fed diet C than in fish fed diets S20, S40, S60 and S80 (trial I). No significant differences were found in the weight gain, nitrogen retention efficiency and body composition between fish fed diets C, S20, S40 and S60 (trial I), between fish fed diets S60 and RS60 or between fish fed diets S80 and RS80 (trial II). This study indicates that dietary fish meal level for Japanese seabass can be reduced to 160 g kg^?1 by using SBM as a fish meal substitute.     

Utilisation of diets supplemented with microbial phytase by seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

A trial was carried out to compare the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of diets by seabass, with an initial weight of 13.5 g, fed diets including fish meal (68.6 % of the dietary protein) or soybean meal (65.6 % of the dietary protein) as the main protein sources. Microbial phytase was added to the soybean meal based diet (1 000 and 2 000 IU·kg⁻¹) and to the fish meal based diet (2 000 IU·kg⁻¹) in order to study its effect on phosphorus utilisation. Results of this trial showed that growth rate, feed conversion and nitrogen retention were significantly better in fish fed the fish meal based diet. Energy retention was similar in both groups. ADC of protein were similar among groups. ADC of phosphorus was significantly higher in the fish meal based diet (63 %) than in the soybean meal based diet (25 %). Supplementation of the fish meal based diet with microbial phytase did not improve the ADC of phosphorus, while in the soybean meal based diet the inclusion of 1 000 and 2 000 IU·kg⁻¹ of microbial phytase significantly increased the ADC of phosphorus to 71.5 % and 79.8 %, respectively. It is concluded that for practical purposes supplementation of diets with microbial phytase may prove valuable in diets including high levels of plant feedstuffs.     

Quantitative dietary methionine requirement of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus at a constant dietary cystine level

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary methionine requirement of juvenile golden pompano (initial body weight 12.40 ± 0.02 g). Six diets were formulated with six graded levels of methionine (8.6, 9.2, 10.4, 11.5, 13.2 and 14.5 g kg⁻¹). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 juvenile fish in seawater floating net cages (1.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.5 m). Fish were fed twice daily (08:30 and 16:30) to apparent satiation for 56 days. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency (FE), nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), proximate body composition, morphometry and haematology were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary methionine levels. WG, SGR and FE increased with increasing levels of methionine up to 13.2 g kg⁻¹ diet (P < 0.05) and remained nearly the same thereafter. NRE also increased with increasing levels of methionine up to 13.2 g kg⁻¹ diet (P < 0.05) and remained nearly the same thereafter. Linear regression analysis on WG and NRE indicated that the recommended optimum dietary methionine levels for optimal growth of juvenile pompano were 10.6 and 12.7 g kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, corresponding to 24.6 and 29.5 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein, respectively, so the level of dietary methionine should be between 10.6 and 12.7 g kg⁻¹ diet, corresponding to 24.6–29.5 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein. Additionally, the estimated requirements for the other essential amino acids were calculated from A/E ratios of whole‐body amino acid profile based on the methionine requirement determined from the present experiment.     

Effect of different dietary lipid levels on the reproduction of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)

Lipids include some of the most important nutrients that affect the survival and growth of fishes in their early life stages. Lipid deficiency prior to spawning may significantly reduce egg production, hatchability and the number of surviving larvae. In this study, we investigated the effects of isocaloric diets containing 80, 140 and 200 g kg⁻¹ of lipids (lipid source, soy oil) for 90 days. The following data were collected at 0, 45 and 90 days: final weight; length; conditioning factor; hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic and visceral fat indices; total plasma protein; testosterone; 17ß‐estradiol; free amino acids; and ovary and muscle fatty acid profiles. Additionally, fecundity, oocyte production, egg morphometric parameters, and larval and postlarval growth were evaluated. Results were not statistically different for husbandry and biochemical parameters, but visceral fat content increased with increase in dietary lipid levels. The fatty acid profiles and composition differed among dietary treatments. The egg diameter and area were significantly low in fish fed the 200 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet, thereby hindering growth, survival and weight compared to those in postlarval fish (P < 0.05). The best reproductive rates were obtained when using diets containing 80–140 g kg⁻¹ total lipids.     

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.     

Effect of binder type and concentration on prepared feed stability,feed ingestion and digestibility of Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock diets

The effect of six different binding agents (agar, sodium alginate, cassava starch, gelatin, wheat gluten and kelp meal) in two concentrations (30 g kg⁻¹ and 50 g kg⁻¹) were evaluated with respect to physical quality of Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock pelleted feed, after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min of water immersion. The best treatments in terms of water stability, water absorption and protein leaching were obtained with sodium alginate and wheat gluten at 50 g kg⁻¹. In a second experiment, the feed ingestion and diet digestibility with these two binders and their combination (1 : 1) were compared against a control diet containing 50 g kg⁻¹ wheat flour. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the daily feed ingestion rate 2.39–3.33% of the biomass. The most representative values of apparent digestibility of protein (ADP) and apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) were achieved with diets containing wheat gluten and alginate + gluten mixture as binder. Based on these results, combinations with 50 g kg⁻¹ wheat gluten is recommended as binder in pelleted feed for broodstock L. vannamei.