Influence of digestible protein levels on growth and feed utilization of juvenile meagreArgyrosomus regius

This study investigates the effect of digestible protein levels in experimental diets for meagre (Argyrosomus regius). A group of 253 fish, 52 g of mean weight, was distributed in 12 tanks, three replicates per treatment. Four isolipidic diets (170 g kg(-1) crude lipid) with different digestible protein levels (350 a kg(-1), 430 g kg(-1), 490 g kg(-1) and 530 g kg(-1)) were formulated using commercial ingredients. The trial lasted 62 days. Meagre fed diets 430, 490 and 530 g kg(-1) obtained higher TGC (2.47, 2.57, 2.69 x 10(-3), respectively) than fish fed diet 350 g kg(-1) (2.14 x 10(-3)). Group of fish fed diet with 350 g kg(-1) DP showed the lowest ammonia excretion level. According to the in vitro digestibility trial diets with 350 and 430 g kg(-1) DP released less amino acids in comparison with diet with 49% DP, although in vivo digestibility test did not show significant differences among diets 430, 490 and 530 g kg(-1) DP. Using the quadratic regression, optimal digestible protein intake according to the ECR for rearing juvenile meagre was recorded in 0.8 g DP/100 g fish and day.
This research was supported by grants from the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain). This document was revised by Nicholas James Cain 28.12.2012.