Effect of water temperature on protein requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fry as determined by nutrient deposition, hemato-biochemical parameters and stress resistance response

Abstract

Background: Dietary protein requirements are dependent on a variety of factors and water temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting protein requirement of fish. This study was, therefore, conducted to investigate effects of water temperature on dietary protein requirement of fry Heteropneustes fossilis which has high demand in most of the Asian markets. Methods: Quadruplicate groups of 30 fish per treatment (2.97 ± 0.65 cm; 5.11 ± 0.34 g) were fed seven isoenergetic diets (17.9 kJ g −1 gross energy; 14.99 kJ g −1 digestible energy) containing dietary protein levels ranging from 28 to 52% at two water temperatures (18 and 26°C). Experimental diets were fed to apparent satiation as semi-moist cakes thrice daily at 17:00, 12:00, and 17:30 h for 12 weeks. For precise information, various growth parameters, protein deposition, hematological parameters, metabolic enzymes, and stress response were analyzed, and effects of water temperature on dietary protein requirement was recommended on the basis of response from above parameters. Results: Groups held at 26°C attained best growth, feed conversion, and protein deposition at 44% dietary protein indicating that temperature affected dietary protein requirement for optimum growth of H. fossilis fry and protein requirement seems to be satisfied with 44% dietary protein. Interestingly, interactive effects of both dietary protein levels and temperature were not found (P > 0.05). Fish reared at 18°C had comparatively higher values for aspartate and alanine transferases than those reared at 26°C water temperature which exhibited normal physiological value for these enzymes indicating that body metabolism was normal at this temperature. Hematological parameters also followed same pattern. Furthermore, fish reared at 26°C water temperature exhibited more resistant to thermal stress (P < 0.05). The 95% maximum plateau of protein deposition data using second-degree polynomial regression analyses exhibited dietary protein requirement of fry H. fossilis between 40.8 and 41.8% of diet at 26°C water temperature. The recommended range of dietary protein level and protein/digestible energy ratio for fry H. fossilis is 40.8-41.8% and 27.21-27.88 mg protein kJ −1 digestible energy, respectively. Conclusions: Information developed is of high significance for optimizing growth potential by making better utilization of nutrient at 26°C and, to develop effective management strategies for mass culture of this highly preferred fish species.

Variation of moisture and protein content in the muscle of three catfishes: A comparative study

“…The moisture content of five freshwater fish species viz., Mystus vittatus, Ompok bimaculatus, Channa striata, Wallago attu and Pangasianodon hypophthalmus were studied [16] . The composition of fishes also largely depends upon the water temperature [11] . The ration levels (fish feed) had significant effects on growth and conversion efficiencies in fingerling H. fossilis [17] .…”

“…Heteropneustes fossilis is an important tropical food fish. It has very high iron content and fairly high content of calcium compared to many other freshwater fishes [11] . Knowledge of the proximate composition of different fishes can be used to estimate the food value and to plan the most appropriate industrial and commercial processing [12] .…”

Aurantiochytrium sp. Meal Improved Body Fatty Acid Profile and Morphophysiology in Nile Tilapia Reared at Low Temperature

“…1 Results are based on linear regression and expressed as the average of five replicates (n = 3 fish per replicate. 2 Standard error of means. 3 Where linear regression was significant, the following equations were obtained: ARA y = −0.0091x + 0.0987, R 2 = 0.720; EPA y = 0.0119x − 0.002, R 2 = 0.723; DPA y = 0.0094x − 0.002, R 2 = 0.7709; DHA y = 0.0936x + 0.0361, R 2 = 0.9828; SFA y = −0.0566x + 3.0886, R 2 = 0.1346; MUFA y = −0.0566x + 3.0886.…”

“…1 Results are based on a t-test and expressed as the average of five replicates (n = 3 fish per replicate), followed by the standard error. 2 Diets with similar contents of DHA (~0.2 g kg −1 DHA dry diet); 10AM = 10 g kg −1 Aurantiochytrium sp. meal and CLO = cod liver oil.…”

“…Fish are ectothermic organisms; therefore, their body temperature is influenced by water temperature, which consequently affects their metabolic rate, feed consumption, feed conversion, and other physiological functions [1]. Water temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors in aquaculture, as it directly affects the growth and survival of fish [2]. Whereas in nature, fish may use behavioral responses to overcome low temperature, fish under farming conditions cannot use such natural responses.…”