Estimation of Crude Protein, Energy, and Amino Acid Digestibilities in Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) with a Fecal Collection System

Abstract

Abstract A method is described in which the feces from shellfish (freshwater crayfish and prawns) are collected in a plastic sack to avoid leaching loss of material. Crude protein digestibilities in crayfish and prawns and energy and amino acid (lysine and alanine) digestibilities in crayfish were determined by total fecal collection from animals fed one of several diets. Crude protein, energy, and amino acid digestibilities ranged from 93 to 99%, 80 to 90%, and 95 to 98%, respectively, with the diets selected. The method may be particularly useful in evaluating the digestibilities of soluble, small molecular weight components of diets.