Interaction between diet and genetic aptitude for weight and growth in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Abstract

Samples of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) alevins from 17 independent families (full-sib-groups) were raised from the start of feeding until the age of 18 weeks post-hatching with three diets (C, G and S) differing in protein content (fish soluble protein concentrate: 84% in C, 54% in G and 44% in S) and carbohydrates (none in C, 30% glucose in G and 40% crude corn starch in S). Fish were fed to near satiation, and their body weight and growth were measured. Diet effect was highly significant (G< C < S), as well as the familial effect. The major part of the familial variance (80–90%) was common to the three diets. However, a minor part of the familial variance was observed to be diet dependent (family × diet interaction), and was found to result mainly from relative performances with carbohydrates (G and S diets) vs. pure protein (C diet). These results indicate that genetic improvement of growth should suffer little impairment from possible changes in future feed formulations.