| Abstract: | Purified and semipurified diets yielding good growth and survival of lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been developed. Growth of animals fed the semipurified diet for 18 months at 20±1°C indicates that market size (.5 kg) could be attained within 2.5 years. The semipurified diet contains 53% (dry weight) protein using casein, shrimp meal, gluten, and egg white as different protein sources. Substitution of these particular sources of protein with soy protein, shrimp protein, a soy protein-shrimp meal combination, or bacterial cell protein caused significant reductions in growth. Similar growth can be achieved when the protein level of the semipurified diet is reduced to 30.5%. It appears that if specific protein and energy requirements are met, diets containing low protein levels can be nutritionally adequate for optimal growth, thereby increasing the possibility of cost-effective diets for intensive lobster culture. |
