An evaluation of the growth of Indian and Chinese major carps in relation to the dietary protein content

Abstract

Published data on growth in Indian and Chinese major carps in relation to the dietary protein content, where the total energy content of the diets was 16–20 kJ g −1 and at least 10% of the protein source was from fish meal, were utilized in this study. The relationship of rate of growth (% increase in body weight per day, % ADG) to dietary protein content (% Pr) is best described by a second-order curve common to all species presently investigated, by the equation, log % ADG=−0.029+0.042 (%Pr)+(−0.0005 (%Pr) 2) (d.f.=39; r=0.62; P<0.01). The dietary protein content at which maximal growth occurred was 45% and the economically optimal dietary protein content was 31%. The significance of these findings from an aquaculture point of view is discussed and the findings are compared with those from a similar study with tilapiine fish.