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Abstract

The optimal protein requirement in granulated microdiets was determined for larval olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Five granulated microdiets (CP42, CP46, CP50, CP54 and CP58) containing 42 to 58% protein levels at a constant energy level were prepared. As the protein levels increased in the granulated microdiets, all essential and nonessential amino acid (AA) contents increased. The weight gain, average growth rate and relative growth rate (RGR) of the flounder larvae fed the CP54 and CP58 diets were greater than of larvae fed the other diets. The total length of larval flounder fed the CP54 and CP58 diets was greater than of the flounder fed the CP42 and CP46 diets. The crude lipid content of the larval flounder fed the CP58 diet was higher than of the flounder fed the CP42, CP46 and CP50 diets. None of the whole body AA profiles of the founder larvae was affected by protein levels in the granulated microdiets. In conclusion, dietary protein requirement was estimated to be 55.4% based on the RGR of the larval olive flounder.