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Protein synthesis and growth in juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.): application of 15 N stable isotope tracer
Author(s) -
Fraser K P P,
Lyndon A R,
Houlihan D F
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2109.1998.00210.x
Subject(s) - hippoglossus hippoglossus , halibut , biology , zoology , excretion , urea , juvenile , growth rate , ammonia , fishery , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , geometry , mathematics
The growth efficiency of juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), was investigated by comparing wet weight specific growth rates (SGRs) over 28 days with protein synthesis rates measured using a non‐invasive stable isotope ( 15 N) tracer technique. A diet containing 15 N‐labelled protein was fed at a single meal and individual feed intake was measured by X‐ray radiography to allow calculation of the amount of N consumed. Excreted ammonia and urea were collected from each fish and the ratio of 15 N to 14 N was used to calculate rates of protein synthesis. Peak rates of ammonia excretion occurred 12 h post‐feeding. Rates of urea excretion did not change after feeding and remained relatively constant over the 48‐h measurement period. Urea accounted for 17% of the measured nitrogen excretion and showed no enrichment with N. Mean protein growth rates were 1.31 ± 0.06% day −1 , while whole animal fractional rates of protein synthesis were 2.02 ± 0.24% day −1 . The mean protein synthesis retention efficiency was 77.41 ± 9.09%, which is higher than that recorded for most other teleosts. This suggests that halibut have a relatively low cost, high growth efficiency growth strategy.