This study was performed to determine the dietary methionine requirements and its effects on growth performance, plasma and hepatic metabolites for juvenile silver catfish. The fish (initial weight = 3.26 AE 0.3 g) were distributed in 24 experimental units (35 fish each). Six diets were formulated with increasing levels of methionine (09, 16, 23, 30, 37 and 44 g/kg protein diet). Each diet was distributed randomly to the groups, with four replicates fed twice daily to apparent satiation for 15 weeks.Methionine levels influenced in body composition (moisture and ash), and submit effect on liver metabolism and plasma. The relative weight gain (RWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with highest levels of methionine to 30 g/kg protein in the diet, thereafter maintaining a nearly constant level of 1.9 g/kg cystine in the protein diet. The protein retention coefficient (PRC) also increased with increasing levels of up to 23 g/kg protein diet, thereafter maintaining a constant level of 1.9 g/kg cystine protein diet until beginning to decrease at a level of 44 g/kg protein diet. In conclusion, methionine is an essential amino acid for the growth of juvenile silver catfish and exhibits an efficient capacity when provided as a synthetic amino acid. Based on the RWG and SGR data, the methionine requirement of juvenile silver catfish was estimated at 34.42 and 35.85 g/kg of the CP or 12.74 g/kg and 13.26 g/kg of the diet respectively. K E Y W O R D S amino acid, protein retention coefficient, relative weight gain, sulphur

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de estocagem e frequências alimentares sobre a resposta zootécnica e metabólica, e sobre a composição de peixe inteiro e de filé de juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) cultivados em tanques-rede durante 60 dias. Foram utilizados 1.200 juvenis de jundiá (57,48±3,34 g e 17,86±0,36 cm). Os peixes foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2×2, à densidade de 50 e 150 peixes m -3 e frequência alimentar de uma ou duas vezes ao dia. Tanto as densidades de estocagem quanto o manejo alimentar não influenciaram o desempenho nem os parâmetros metabólicos. No entanto, a interação entre a menor densidade e a maior frequência alimentar resultou em menor teor lipídico nos filés. Como ambos os fatores testados não interferiram no desempenho zootécnico, pode-se sugerir como melhor densidade a de 150 peixes m -³, com frequência de arraçoamento de uma vez ao dia.Termos para indexação: Rhamdia quelen, manejo alimentar, parâmetros metabólicos, qualidade de pescado. Stocking density and feeding rate of South American catfish reared in net cagesAbstract -The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different stocking densities and feeding frequencies on the zootechnical and metabolic response and on the whole fish and fillet composition of juvenile South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen) cultured in net cages for 60 days. One thousand and two hundred juvenile catfish (57,48±3,34 g and 17,86±0,36 cm) were used. Fish were distributed in a completely randomized design, with a 2×2 factorial arrangement, at 50 and 150 fish m -3 and feeding frequency once or twice a day. Both stocking density and feeding influenced neither the performance, nor the metabolic parameters. However, the interaction between the lowest density and the highest feeding frequency resulted in the lowest lipid content in the fillets. As both tested factors did not affect the growth performance, 150 fish m -3 can be suggested as the best density together with a once-a-day feeding frequency.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of Dietary Fiber Concentrates (DFCs) on growth performance, gut morphology, and hepatic metabolic intermediates in jundiá (Rhamdia quelen). At the end of the trial, growth and intestinal villus height was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in fish fed diets supplemented with DFCs. However, the animals in commercial prebiotic group showed higher values for this variable compared to the other treatments. Regarding the thickness of the epithelium bowel, it was greater in the Control group compared to animals supplemented with β-glucan+mannan. Likewise, treatment with commercial prebiotic showed higher values of epithelium bowel compared to the DFCs. The fish supplemented with DFCs, had higher glycogen storage compared to the control group. These results indicate that DFCs can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving growth performance, gut morphology, and hepatic metabolic intermediates of jundiá.

The study of alternative protein sources is very important to lower the cost of aquafeeds. In this study, the use of waste from the processing of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) in the diet of juveniles of this species was evaluated. This feed was used in a recirculation system with 16 polypropylene tanks (280 L), each one containing 50 fish (initial weight = 5.50 ± 0.09 g). Fish were tested on four diets (37% crude protein and 3200 kcal kg-1 digestible energy): a control diet composed of swine meat and bone meal, one with meal made from silver catfish carcasses with viscera, a diet of meal from carcasses without viscera, and a diet of fish meal made from the whole fish. The data measured were final weight, condition factor, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, daily weight gain, and protein retention rate of fishes on different diets. Overall higher final weight (50.5 g), specific growth rate (3.9% day-1), feed conversion (1.3:1), and deposition of body protein (6.3 g) was observed for fish fed with the diet containing carcass meal from silver catfish with viscera than on the other diets. The incorporation of waste meal from the processing of silver catfish into the diet is viable for achieving fish growth.

This study was conducted to evaluate the partial replacement of porcine meat meal by plant-protein meals in diets for common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Five experimental diets were evaluated: control (FCS), only porcine meat meal as protein source, and four plant-based diets: soybean meal (FS), canola meal (FC), sunflower meal (FG) or linseed meal (FL) replacing 50% of protein from porcine meat meal.Juveniles (195, 43.4±0.4g)

Crescimento e características de carcaça do jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) foram avaliados após 60 dias de alimentação com diferentes proporções de amilose:amilopectina na dieta. Foram criados 240 peixes (peso inicial de 34,3±4,3g) em sistema de recirculação de água constituído de 12 unidades experimentais de 280L. Foram testadas três dietas com as proporções amilose:amilopectina de: T417 = com 26% de amilose, T416 = com 16% de amilose e TMOCHI = com 0% de amilose. Os peixes foram alimentados duas vezes por dia, às 8h e 30min e às 16 horas. A cada 15 dias, foram feitas biometrias para ajuste da quantidade de alimento ofertado. A proporção amilose:amilopectina no amido das dietas não influenciou o crescimento, os rendimentos de carcaça e a composição corporal dos peixes. Conclui-se que o jundiá tem potencial para utilizar fontes de amido compostas por até 26% de amilose sem alterar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e a deposição de gordura.

This study evaluated the addition of tung (Aleurites fordii) meal to the feed of Rhamdia quelen, as an alternative to animal protein sources. Silver catfish juveniles were fed different diets which included crude tung meal, chemically treated tung meal and a control without tung meal. The chemical treatment was based on the sequential application of acid and alcohol solutions and reduced the phytic acid from 1.63 to 0.61% and condensed tannin content from 0.025 to 0.018%. The nutritional response of fish to these ingredients was evaluated over nine weeks, based on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and biochemical responses. After nine weeks, the diet containing crude tung meal caused reduced growth (weight: -57.9%; total length: -21.09%; specific growth rate: -99.74%). This diet also reduced acid protease and lipase activities, decreased concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma and decreased liver glycogen and glucose concentrations. However, after nine weeks, fish fed with treated tung meal showed higher growth (weight, total length and specific growth rate similar to control) and reduced metabolic changes, possibly due to the removal of antinutrients and toxic substances. At the 32% level of inclusion, the chemically treated tung meal can be considered an alternative protein source for silver catfish.

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