C.D. Hebb, J.D. Castell, D.M. Anderson, J. Batt-1997
Bull. Aquacult. Assoc. Canada, 97(2): 45-47
Abstract:
Information on the ability of a species to digest, absorb and metabolize a particular nutrient is necessary in formulating diets that will give the most economic food to product ratio. In a study on juvenile winter flounder, three diets were formulated to contain either 45% protein and 10% lipid (diet 1), 40% protein and 15% lipid (diet 2), or 35% protein and 20% lipid (diet 3). Wet weight and feed consumption were measured at 2-week intervals for 10 weeks. By week six, fish receiving diet 1 were significantly larger (p=0.02) than the fish fed diet 3. The highest specific growth rate (2.11), feed efficiency (0.64) and protein efficiency (1.50) were obtained with diet 1. Oxygen consumption data indicated there was no difference in the metabolic activity of the three groups. These results indicate that a minimum of 40 to 45% dietary protein is necessary to obtain optimum growth rates for juvenile winter flounder.
(Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O.Box 550, Truro, N.S. Canada B2N 5E3)