<b>Feeding grass carp juveniles with plant-protein diets and forage</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i3.9052

Abstract

To evaluate the potential of plant-protein sources to replace porcine meat meal in diets for grass carp juveniles, 180 fish (15 per tank) were reared for 60 days in a re-use water system. We evaluated the replacement of porcine meat meal (FCS) for canola meal (FC), sunflower meal (FG) or a mixture of canola and sunflower meal (FCG). The diets were also composed of soybean meal as a protein source. Daily forage intake ranged from 1.24 to 2.11% body weight and did not differ among treatments. Final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion rate did not differ statistically among diets. The fillet yield was higher in FC and FCG diets, while the digestive-somatic index was higher in treatments FG and FCG. Higher fat, lower protein content in whole fish and ash in fillet were obtained in the treatment FCG. The FCG and FCS fillets showed higher L value (brightness). Fish fed the FCS diet had higher values of protein, triglycerides and total cholesterol in serum. We conclude that canola meal and sunflower meal can be used in diets for grass carp in the growing phase.