Effects of dietary protein to metabolizable energy ratios and total protein concentrations on the performance of yellow perch Perca flavescens |
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Authors: | RAMSEYER,& GARLING |
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Affiliation: | Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA |
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Abstract: | Juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens were fed semipurified diets with varying protein to metabolizable energy ratios (PME, g protein MJ−1 metabolizable energy) and nutrient densities in three experiments to determine recommended dietary protein and energy concentrations. Experiment 1 fish (18.6 g) were fed diets containing 450 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet and 14.5–18.8 MJ ME kg−1 dry diet for 10 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 1 fish fed the different diets. Experiment 2 fish (21.9 g) were fed diets containing 15.7 MJ ME kg−1 dry diet and 210–420 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 340 g kg−1 protein (diet PME = 22) exhibited the greatest weight gain. Experiment 3 fish (27.1 g) were fed diets with a PME of 22 and varying nutrient density (yielding 205–380 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet) for 8 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 3 fish. Yellow perch fed the semipurified diets exhibited increased liver fat content, liver size and degree of liver discoloration compared with fish fed a commercial fish meal-based diet. Liver changes may have resulted from high dietary carbohydrate levels. We conclude that a protein level of 210–270 g kg−1 dry diet is suitable for juvenile yellow perch provided that the dietary amino acid profile and carbohydrate content are appropriate for yellow perch. |
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Keywords: | liver metabolizable energy protein semipurified yellow perch |
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