Growth, Survival and Reproductive Responses of Pearl Spot ( Etroplus suratensis ) to Partial Fishmeal Replacement With Spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis ) in Coastal Pond Systems

Influence of dietary replacement of fish meal with fish soluble meal on growth and TOR signaling pathway in juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

Spirulina, Arthrospira platensis (SP), is a filamentous blue-green alga with high nutritional value that makes it a promising component for fish meal (FM) replacement in aqua feeds. With this perspective, the current feeding trial was carried out to find out the effects of inclusion of SP protein instead of FM protein on the growth, carcass composition, and amino acids profile of muscles of pabda catfish, Ompok pabda. The current study was carried out in earthen pits (sized 0.64 m3) at a stocking density of 40 fish/pit. Five experimental diets—S0 (control), S10, S15, S20, and S25—were prepared by replacing 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% FM protein with SP protein respectively in triplicates. Fish were fed manually with the experimental diets thrice a day up to satiation level for 8 weeks. The higher growth performance of pabda catfish was significantly (P < 0.05) observed for the SP-containing diets than for the control diet. In terms of weight gain, weight gain percent, and specific growth rate, the S15 diet showed the optimum performance. Feed intake in this fish group was higher than the control diet, but no significant (P > 0.05) changes were observed in feed conversion value and protein efficiency ratio; their ranges were 1.57–1.60 and 1.79–1.82 respectively. High ash content and low lipids contents were found in fish fed with SP-treated diets compared to the control group. Most essential and nonessential amino acids significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing SP levels in the diets. From these results, it is concluded that FM protein replaced by SP protein at the 15% level showed the optimum performance with better muscles quality of pabda catfish, O. pabda.

The study investigated the growth and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed five iso-nitrogenus diets, containing fermented locust bean meal, at varying inclusion level (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) as replacement for fishmeal. Eight weeks feeding trial was conducted using Clarias gariepinus fingerlings which were randomly distributed into 12 bowls at a stocking rate of 20 fish per bowl, in replicates per treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized. The fish were fed at 5% body weight, twice daily. Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) diets containing fermented locust beans meal at varying replacement level for fish meal designated as diet A0, B10, C20, D30, E40 and F50 were formulated and fed to the fish. All the experimental fish fed the various treatments showed increase in weight, carcass crude protein and lipid content, compared to the initial value indicating positive contribution of the various diets to growth of the fish. The results obtained indicated there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean weight gain, percentage weight gain. Specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio among the fish fed the various diets. The highest weight gain was recorded in the fish fed the control diet (2.47g) while the least was recorded for the fish fed the B20 diet (2.18g). This study revealed that locust bean seed if processed, as in fermentation, could replace fishmeal up to 50% level in the diet of C. fish. This level of inclusion would be a significant replacement for the expensive fishmeal in feed manufacturing.

A 14‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplemental L‐methionine for total replacement of fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) on growth and feed utilisation of the stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. Five diets were formulated, where Diet 1 contained 15% FM and 45% SBM as a source of protein. The other four diets (2–5) contained 0% FM and around 60% SBM (59.5%, 59.0%, 58.5% and 58.0% SBM, respectively) with various percentages (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2%) of L‐methionine. The significantly highest mean final weight (g), weight gain (g), percent weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (% day−1) were found in Diet 4 containing 58.5% SBM with 1.5% L‐methionine, and there was no significant difference between Diets 1 and 4. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and survival rate did not differ significantly among fish groups. However, the best FCR and higher PER were found in Diet 4. The whole‐body carcass protein was significantly lower in Diets 2 and 5, which contained 0.5% and 2% L‐methionine, respectively, and might be below or above the requirements of stinging catfish. Significantly higher lipid content was found in Diets 2 and 4. Dietary 1.5% supplementation of L‐methionine for total replacement of FM with SBM increased haemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells and blood glucose, and 2% supplementation of L‐methionine decreased these values significantly. Moreover, considerable morphological improvement of the intestine was observed in Diet 4. Therefore, the results suggest that Diet 4 containing 58.5% SBM with 1.5% supplemental L‐methionine could completely replace FM without adverse effects on growth, feed utilisation and health condition of stinging catfish, H. fossilis.

Single cell protein from methanotrophic bacteria as an alternative healthy and functional protein source in aquafeeds, a holistic approach in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles

The present study evaluates the effect of dietary phytoestrogen Genistein on growth performance of Cyprinus carpio communis. Genistein is a prominent phytoestrogen found in high concentrations in aquafeeds, particularly soybean meal (SBM) and soy protein concentrate. These phytoestrogens may exert adverse effects on fish due to their estrogenic activity; however, they may also exert beneficial effects owing to their antioxidant properties. A 90-day feeding trail was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary phytoestrogen genistein on growth performance of Cyprinus carpio var. communis. The trail consisted of three treatment groups (T1, T2, T3) and control (C), each group maintained in four replicates. Four experimental diets with 30% crude protein were formulated containing genistein @ 0.0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg respectively in addition to the basal feed ingredients. The study evaluated different growth parameters specifically focusing on percentage weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). The highest weight gain (75.48 ± 0.22 %) and SGR (0.63 ± 0.01) were observed in treatment group T3 while the lowest weight gain (71.86 ± 2.30 %) and SGR (0.60 ± 0.01) were recorded in treatment group T1. Feed conversion ratio was observed to be highest in control group (4.82 ± 0.12) and lowest in treatment group T3 (4.50 ± 0.09). Protein efficiency ratio was slightly higher in T1 and T3 (0.07 ± 0.002) compared to control and treatment group T2 (0.06 ± 0.002). Across all parameters, no statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) were observed among the treatment groups. The study suggests that genistein’s influence may be more prominent in relation to reproductive endpoints rather than somatic growth.

This research evaluates the effects of Houttuynia cordata thunb. leaf extract on growth performance, feed utilization and the hematological indices of Hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus). Four groups of fish were divided and given a basal diet (control group) as well as the extract solution, which was sprayed into the commercial fish feed (30% crude protein) in the amounts of the extract, 50, 70 and 100 ml/kg feed, then fed to the experimental fish for 90 days. Dominant results for the growth indices were found on days 15 and 30 of the experimental period. A significantly increased level (p < 0.05) of average daily growth (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), as well as the lowest feed conversion rate (FCR), were found in fish fed with H. cordata extract at 70-ml/kg feed on day 15. While on day 30, it was revealed that the ADG, SGR, and PER were at their highest values in fish fed 50 ml/kg. Meanwhile, the survival rate was significantly different only at the end of the experiment (day 90) and was at its highest rate in the group fed 100 ml/kg. The highest total red blood cell levels (RBC) were observed in groups fed 70 and 100 ml/kg of feed over 30 days while the highest RBC levels on day 60 were found in groups that were fed 50 and 70 ml/kg. Total white blood cell (WBC) levels were at the highest significant value (p < 0.05) in fish fed 70 ml/kg on days 30, 60, and 90 when compared with the control group. Hematocrit percentage (Htc) showed only a significant difference on day 30 and the highest level was observed in fish fed 70 ml/kg. Fish fed 50 and 70 ml/kg of feed had a significantly affected increase in lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophile, and neutrophil levels but thrombocyte levels fluctuated. Based on our findings, we can assert that H. cordata leaf extract is suitable for application in the fingerling nursing step. This was especially seen during the first 30 days of the experiment, which showed that significantly higher values of growth indices could be achieved. Moreover, the extract should be looked at further in terms of its application for immune stimulation in fish, because different white blood cell types were increased by H. cordata leaf extract.

Effects of defatted soybean protein levels on growth performance and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in Asian seabass ( Lates calcarifer)

Utilization of fermented animal by-product blend as fishmeal replacer in the diet of Labeo rohita

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fish meal by 25, 50, 75and 100% canola protein concentrate meal (CPC) on growth performance, feed utilization, apparent nutrient digestibility and body composition of juvenile Oreochromis niloticus. Experimental diets were prepared to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric (34% CP; 19.4 kJ GE/ g DM). Three hundred fish (mean weight 43.6 ± 0.06 g) were cultured in plastic tank containing fresh water (28°C average temperature) for a period of 56 days. At the end of the experimental period, no significant differences were observed for weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) among juvenile tilapia fed on control diet and diets containing CPC at level of 25%, 50% and 75%, respectively. Diet containing 100% CPC showed lower (WG) and (SGR). The data of feed utilization in terms of feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed the same trend of (SGR). However, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) showed no differences among the fish groups fed on tested diets. No differences were found between control diet and diet containing 25% CPC in terms of apparent protein digestibility (APD). While, APD decreased with the fish groups fed diets containing 50, 75 and 100% CPC levels. However, Phosphors digestibility decreased staidly with increasing CPC levels. No significant differences (P<0.05) in whole fish bodycomposition. Slightly decrease in whole body ash content was detected. The results of this study show that juvenile Oreochromis niloticus can be cultured with feeding a diet containing 75% canola protein concentrate as fish meal replacer without any adverse effects on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition.

A 391‐d feeding trial was conducted with caged juvenile (mean weight = 36.2 g, SD = 8.04 g) sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) to evaluate growth, feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio, body composition, and fillet composition resulting from diets with decreasing levels of fish meal (FM; 30, 20, 10, and 0%) and increasing levels of turkey meal (TM; 0.0, 9.7, 17.5, and 26.4%). We stocked 100 randomly selected fish into each of 12 floating cages (3.5 m3). Twice daily, fish were fed all they could consume in 30 min. Four practical diets were formulated to contain 40% protein and to be isoenergetic. After 391 d, significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were found in growth; fish fed the control diet (30% FM, 0% TM) had higher individual final weight, percent weight gain, and specific growth rate than fish fed 10.0% FM and 17.5% TM. However, differences for those variables were not apparent between the control group and fish fed the 20% FM and 9.7% TM diet or the 0% FM and 26.4% TM diet. Diet composition did not significantly alter amount of diet fed, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, percent survival, fillet yield, or hepatosomatic index among treatments. Results indicate that sunshine bass grown in cages for 391 d can be fed a diet containing 0% FM and 26.4% TM without adverse effects on growth, feed conversion ratio, and body composition; more diverse diet formulations for sunshine bass and reduced usage of menhaden fish meal are therefore possible.

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted in an indoor recirculation seawater system to investigate the effects of partial replacement of dietary fishmeal with proteins from five sources on the growth performance and feed utilization of Sebastes schlegeli. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated using fishmeal (FM, the control) as sole protein source, or proteins from five sources including poultry by-product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM), soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal (CSM) and canola meal (CNM). Fifteen percent of the crude protein provided by fish meal was replaced, respectively. The results showed that the differences in specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate (SR) among fish fed PBM, MBM, SBM, CSM and whole FM diets were not significant. However, SGR and SR of fish fed CNM diet was significantly lower than that of other treatments. Feeding rate, feed conversion, nutrient retention showed similar patterns to that of growth. Fish fed CSM and CNM showed significantly lower apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter and gross energy than those fed others while fish fed CNM showed lower ADC of crude protein than those fed others (P < 0.05). These results suggested that it was feasible to substitute 15% dietary protein provided by fishmeal with PBM, MBM, SBM and CSM, respectively, but not with CNM as the replacement with CNM reduced fish growth and feed utilization.

Effect of dietary fish meal replacement by red algae, Gracilaria arcuata, on growth performance and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

A 61-day growth experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of a poultry-based protein (PBP) comprising of feather meal (FeM) and poultry meat and bone meal (PMBM), as a fishmeal (FM) substitute in diets of juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca, L.). Pikeperch (initial body weight 113.12 g) were randomly distributed in groups of 250 fish in twelve 1.8 m3 circular recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) tanks, and fed four isonitrogenous (52% crude protein), isolipidic (17% crude lipid), and isocaloric (21.80 KJ/g energy) experimental diets. The feeds contained FM as the primary protein source (PBP0) or PBP replacing 20 (PBP20), 40 (PBP40), or 60% (PBP60) of the FM. Based on appetite and calculated uneaten feed, the feeding rate was initially set at 1.5% and subsequently reduced to 1% of the total tank biomass towards the end of the study. At the end of the experiment, the average feed intake ranged from 1.93 to 2.00 g/fish/day (p > 0.05). No adverse effects on growth and feed efficiency were observed in fish fed diets PBP0, PBP20, and PBP40. Particularly, the final body weight (FBW) (248.73, 240.11 g), feed conversion ratio (FCR) (0.86, 0.91), specific growth rate (SGR) (1.29, 1.35%/day), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (2.20, 2.12) of fish fed PBP20 and PBP40 were not significantly different from the control PBP0 whose values ranged from 248.11 g, 0.89, 1.27%/day, and 2.18, respectively (p > 0.05). In all treatments, the condition factor (k) (1.31 to 1.33), hepatosomatic index (HSI) (2.35 to 2.70%), visceral somatic index (VSI) (6.87 to 7.19%), and whole-body composition of crude protein (57.77–58.28%) and crude lipid (23.85–26.85%) were not significantly influenced by the dietary PBP inclusion level (p > 0.05). However, whole-body ash content was significantly higher in PBP60 (14.66%) compared to the other treatments (12.57–14.43%) (p < 0.05). Based on the results from this study, up to 40% of FM can be replaced by PBP in diets for pikeperch juveniles without compromising growth performance and feed utilization.

In the aquaculture feed industry, fishmeal is widely used as a source of animal protein due to its high palatability, excellent amino acid profile and increased digestibility. However, the incorporation of fishmeal in aquaculture diets increases the costs of production due to the declining wild fish stocks hence an urgent need to search for sustainable and cheaper alternative protein sources. The use of fermented plant proteins as substitutes for fishmeal in aquaculture diets has recently gained attention due to their improved nutritional quality, easy availability and low costs. Therefore, a systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to quantify the effects of fermented plant proteins as substitutes for fishmeal on the growth performance, feed utilisation, survival, antioxidant, metabolic and digestive enzyme activity of several aquaculture species. Results of the meta‐analysis indicated that replacement of fishmeal with fermented plant proteins in aquaculture diets enhanced the growth performance, feed utilisation, antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities of several aquaculture species regardless of experimental duration and source of fermented plant protein. Likewise, metabolic enzyme activity (i.e., Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase) was reduced in experimental dietary treatment groups relative to the fishmeal control groups. To elucidate the influence of moderators on the observed effect sizes, a mixed‐effects model was conducted and the results indicated that fishmeal substitution levels and aquaculture species influenced the observed effect sizes in both antioxidant and digestive enzyme activity. No significant differences were noted in survival between the experimental dietary treatment groups and fishmeal control diets among all aquaculture species. However, carnivorous marine species exhibited lower values for specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio in experimental dietary treatment groups compared to the fishmeal control diets. Likewise, freshwater species exhibited poor FCR values in experimental dietary treatment groups relative to the fishmeal control diets. Overall, the replacement of fishmeal with fermented plant proteins in aquaculture diets is a safe and viable solution for increased and sustainable aquaculture production.