Abstract
Cephalopods offer a unique model for studying animal nutrition due to the predominance of their amino acid metabolism. Since cephalopods grow at rapid rates for most of their life cycle (3–10% body weight d‐1), the demands on protein synthesis are high. As a result, cephalopod body composition ranges between 75–85% protein on a dry weight basis and they are efficient at assimilating proteins (apparent protein digestibility >85%). Furthermore, the protein/energy ratio required for optimum growth (>50 g protein MJ energy‐1) appears to be significantly greater than for other aquatic invertebrates or fishes (20–30 g protein MJ energy‐1). This high protein/energy ratio indicates that protein should not be considered separately from energy in cephalopods. Attempts to supply high levels of protein (>35% of diet on a wet weight basis) to cuttlefishes with moist prepared diets (pellets and surimi) have been successful in terms of palatability (feeding rates ≈ 8% body weight d‐1) but growth rates (0.7–1.0% body wei...
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.