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This study was conducted to evaluate algae meal as an inexpensive and locally available feed ingredient in the supplementary diet of striped mullet, Mugil cephalus L. Four 40%-protein diets (D1–D4) containing 10, 15, 20 and 25% Ulva meal were tested to determine the proper incorporation level for best growth and utilization. A fifth test diet (E) containing 40% dietary yeast enriched with vitamin E was further investigated. Mullet fingerlings (6.4 ± 0.5 g) were stocked into 12 1 m3 net cages fixed in an earth lined pond, at a rate of 15 fish per cage, and were fed the test diets twice a day at 4% of biomass for 15 weeks. Two cages were used for each dietary treatment, except for the control group, which did not receive any feed. Performance of fish fed the five test diets was evaluated for final mean weight, percent weight gain, specific growth rate, survival, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and proximate composition. Results indicated that the best weight gain and feed efficiency were obtained from fish fed the 20% dietary Ulva meal (diet D3), as well as the yeast-based diet enriched with vitamin E (diet E). In addition to growth enhancement, using these feeds (D3 and E) resulted in improved muscle quality and firmness, as shown from the examination of fish muscle ultrastructure by electron microscopy at the end of feeding trial.
Wassef et al. (Sat,) studied this question.