Resumen de Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Growth, Nutritional Utilization, Carcass Composition and Survival of Asian Seabass Lates Calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) Fingerlings Rearing in Net Cages
Habib Ul-Hassan, Qadeer Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique, Md Robiul Hasan, Md Yeamin Hossain
The present study was determined the effect of different dietary protein levels for optimum growth performance, carcass composition, and survival of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer fingerlings. Four experimental diets (P35, P40, P45, and P50) were formulated containing 35, 40, 45, and 50% of protein kg−1 of dry feed, respectively. Fingerlings weighted 39.86 ± 1.66 g were randomly distributed in 12 net cages (2.5 m × 2.5 m × 2.5 m; three net cages for each dietary treatment) and fed formulated diet at 5% of their body weight for 64 days. Results showed a significantly higher growth rate and weight gain in Asian seabass fed on P40 and P45 diets compared to other experimental diets (p < 0.05). The best feed conversion ratio (1.20 ± 0.02) was calculated at 45% of proteins containing diet. The analysis of fish body carcass composition showed significantly lower lipid deposition at P40 and P45 diets compared to P35 and P50 diets (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the survival rate of fingerlings among different experimental diet groups (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that 45% of proteins in the diet are optimal for the growth and survival of seabass fingerlings
