Effect of protein ratio with partial substitution of fish meal by plant protein on the performance of Bayad fish fingerlings

Abstract

A factorial experiment 2 × 2 was conducted to investigate the effect of protein ratio (30% and 35%) with different fish meal and plant protein percentage (50% fish meal: 50% plant protein, and 33% fish meal: 67% Plant protein) on the growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate and economical evaluation of Bayad (Bagrus bajad) fingerlings with average weight 31.86 ±0.34g as an initial body weight. The survival rate was within the range 96.67–100 %. The highest growth parameters and the best FCR (lowest) were obtained with the diet contained on (35% CP and 50% FM: 50% PP). The diet contained (30% CP and 33% FM: 67% PP) had the lowest growth and the worst FCR than other treatments. However, differences in growth parameters among diets contained on (30% CP, 50% FM: 50% PP) and (35% CP, 33% FM: 67% PP) were insignificant. Final body weight was progressively decreased with increasing plant protein under both protein levels of diets. The improvement of growth performance and FCR tested in diets containing higher levels of fish meal under both protein levels of diets. Regarding to economical evaluation 35% protein level is more economical in Bayad aquaculture. Net returned of Bayad were better for the 35% treatment (50 FM: 50 PP) which was 1.20 but the worst was 30% (33 FM: 67 PP) which was 0.77. It could be concluded that 35 % and 30% crude protein levels were the best under composition of the diet ((50 FM: 50 PP).