Abstract
The objective of this study was evaluating mesquite meal as a substitute for corn in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles. Four isoproteic (34% crude protein) and isocaloric (3,150 kcal kg-1 digestible energy) diets were formulated corresponding to replacement levels (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of corn by mesquite meal. Two hundred and forty tilapia juveniles (1.55 ± 0.02 g) were housed in circular tanks (20 fish per tank of 310 L) in a completely randomized experimental design (n = 3). Fish were fed to apparent satiation three meal per day (8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) for 70 days. Because low water temperature (23.8 ± 1.2 °C), was registered low growth and feed efficiency of fish at experiment. Tilapia juveniles weight gain, feed intake, specific growth rate and body composition were similar (P > 0.05) in all treatments. Survival increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing whole mesquite meal levels in diets. Mesquite meal can completely replace corn in Nile tilapia juvenile diets during periods of low water temperature.
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