Growth Responses of Tilapia aurea to Dietary Protein Quality and Quantity

Juvenile Tilapia aurea were fed diets containing fish meal, soybean meal, or mixtures of these to provide 15, 22, 29, or 36% dietary protein. Average daily gain and food conversions were determined over a 12-week period. Growth rates of fish fed the 36% protein diets were greater than those fed the other protein levels. Within each protein level, the 100% fish meal diets produced the greatest growth, although no differences were observed between any of the protein sources when fed at the 36% protein level. No significant correlations were observed between protein level or source and body protein composition.