Effects of dietary protein to metabolizable energy ratios and total protein concentrations on the performance of yellow perch Perca flavescens

Juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens were fed semipurified diets with varying protein to metabolizable energy ratios (PME, g protein MJ−1 metabolizable energy) and nutrient densities in three experiments to determine recommended dietary protein and energy concentrations. Experiment 1 fish (18.6 g) were fed diets containing 450 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet and 14.5–18.8 MJ ME kg−1 dry diet for 10 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 1 fish fed the different diets. Experiment 2 fish (21.9 g) were fed diets containing 15.7 MJ ME kg−1 dry diet and 210–420 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 340 g kg−1 protein (diet PME = 22) exhibited the greatest weight gain. Experiment 3 fish (27.1 g) were fed diets with a PME of 22 and varying nutrient density (yielding 205–380 g crude protein kg−1 dry diet) for 8 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 3 fish. Yellow perch fed the semipurified diets exhibited increased liver fat content, liver size and degree of liver discoloration compared with fish fed a commercial fish meal-based diet. Liver changes may have resulted from high dietary carbohydrate levels. We conclude that a protein level of 210–270 g kg−1 dry diet is suitable for juvenile yellow perch provided that the dietary amino acid profile and carbohydrate content are appropriate for yellow perch.