Open AccessUse of Plant Proteins in Catfish Feeds: Replacement of Soybean Meal with Cottonseed Meal and Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal and Cottonseed Meal
Author(s) -
Robinson Edwin H.,
Li Meng H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1994.tb00190.x
Subject(s) - cottonseed meal , soybean meal , fish meal , catfish , biology , gossypol , cottonseed , food science , meal , plant protein , zoology , agronomy , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , ecology , raw material
Plant protein sources were evaluated in 32% protein grow‐out feeds for channel catfish (initial weight: 180 g/fish) stocked at high densities (24,700 fish/ha) in 0.04 ha earthen ponds. Each of the eight practical‐type feeds was assigned for five replicate ponds. The fish were fed to satiation once daily for 170 d. Specifically, cottonseed meal and cottonseed meal plus supplemental lysine were evaluated as replacements for soybean meal. Soybean meal, a combination of soybean meal and cottonseed meal, or a combination of soybean meal and cottonseed meal plus supplemental lysine were evaluated as a substitute for animal protein sources. Based on weight pin, feed conversion ratio, body composition, percentage visceral fat, and dressed yield, the data indicated that cottonseed meal plus lysine can be used as a total substitute for soybean meal in catfish feeds. However, it is not recommended that more than 30% cottonseed meal be used in catfish feeds until additional data are available on the effects of gossypol on reproduction in catfish. Also, data indicated that plant proteins can be used as a total replacement for animal protein without detrimental effects. Reduced weight gain was observed in fish fed a feed that contained 68% of the established available lysine requirement. However, fish fed feeds estimated to contain only 76 or 82% of the available lysine requirement did not show reduced weight gain. This suggests that lysine may be more highly available from cottonseed meal than previously estimated, or that natural food organisms in the pond contributed nutrients including lysine, or that fish were able to consume enough of the marginally deficient feeds to meet their requirement for lysine. This study was conducted with large catfish fed a 32% protein feed to satiation once daily. If smaller fish, a lower protein fed, or a restricted feeding regimen had been used, the results may have been different.