Growth,precocity, enzyme activity and chemical composition of juvenile Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis,fed different dietary protein‐to‐energy ratio diets

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein‐to‐energy (P/E) ratio of juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Six practical diets were formulated with P/E ratios ranging from 15.94 to 21.25 g protein MJ^?1 gross energy (g MJ^?1). Results showed that specific growth rates related with molting were significantly affected by dietary P/E ratio (P < 0.05). The specific growth rates both in body weight (SGRw) and carapace width (SGRcw) for the entire experimental period were not significantly affected by dietary P/E ratio (P > 0.05). Molting frequency, survival rate and crab body composition were also significantly affected by dietary P/E ratio (P < 0.05). Rate of precocity displayed negative trends with growth rate, and the trend with SGRcw was significant (P < 0.01). The activities of alkaline phosphatase, trypsinase and steapsin were significantly affected by dietary P/E ratio (P < 0.05). Molting frequency (P < 0.001), SGRw1‐2 (P < 0.05) and SGRw0‐2 (P < 0.05) were positively and significantly related to alkaline phosphatase activity. We recommend 18.13–19.20 g MJ^?1 as the optimum dietary P/E ratio for juvenile E. sinensis, based on growth performance, rate of precocity and digestive enzyme activities.