Open AccessINFLUENCE OF DIETARY PROTEIN CONCENTRATION ON GROWTH, FEED CONVERSION AND GENERAL METABOLISM OF JUVENILE PRAWN ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) 1
Author(s) -
Millikin Mark R.,
Fortner Alan R.,
Fair Patricia H.,
Sick Lowell V.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
proceedings of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0748-3260
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1980.tb00132.x
Subject(s) - prawn , macrobrachium rosenbergii , protein efficiency ratio , feed conversion ratio , biology , weight gain , zoology , juvenile , fish meal , dietary protein , meal , protein metabolism , metabolism , food science , biochemistry , fishery , endocrinology , body weight , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology
Juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii cultured in closed systems were offered one of four dietary protein concentrations, each containing a 1.65:1 ratio of menhaden fish meal to soy proteinate. After 6 and 10 weeks, the 40 and 49% protein treatments promoted significantly higher weight gain than those individuals offered 32 and 23% protein. Additionally, during the same time intervals, the 32% protein treatment resulted in better growth of prawn than the 23% protein treatment. After 14 weeks, prawn fed the 40% protein concentration produced a significantly higher cumulative weight gain than prawn offered 49, 32 and 23% protein. Feed conversion ratios were significantly lower (i.e., better) in the 40% protein treatment compared to the 23% protein treatment after 10 and 14 weeks (P ≤ 0.05). Survival rates were similar for all dietary treatments within any one time interval (6, 10 and 14 weeks). Protein efficiency ratio was lower in prawn fed 49% protein vs 40% proten after 10 weeks. The 40% protein treatment was more cost‐effective than 49% protein treatment throughout the study when considering growth, feed conversion ratios and protein efficiency ratios. Although these results indicate a higher total dietary protein requirement for this species than that reported for most other prawns (27–35% protein), exact requirements will undoubtedly vary with alterations of the amino acid profile, variation in dietary supplementation of macro‐and micronutrients other than protein, and changes in selected environmental factors.