The effect of dietary lipid on the growth performance of Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary lipid on the growth and feed utilization of Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801), taking into account their feeding behavior of collecting food from the bottom of the cages. The fish (141.07±0.5g, average weight ± SD; 22.18±0.53 cm, average total length± SD) were fed three isonitrogenous experimental diets (45% crude protein, dry matter) containing 16% (group A), 18% (group B), and 20% (group C) crude lipids for 570 days. The fish were stocked into 9 net cages (16 m diameter; 7 m deep) at a density of 16000 fish per cage with 2 replications. At the end of the experiment fish in the A, B, and C groups reached 1054.59±5.9, 1026.32±4.3, 955.31±2.3 mean live weight (g) and 45.78±1.6, 44.43±1.4, 43.88±1.4 mean total length (cm) respectively. FCR and CF values were 1.99, 2.07, 2.14 and 1.999, 1.131, 1.170 respectively for each group, at the end of the study. VSI, HIS, and GSI values were also calculated. Growth rate in fish from group A (fed the lowest lipid diet) was superior to the other dietary groups. Cross sections of their liver were checked and were found to have less lipidosis.