Abstract
Feeding experiments were conducted to evaluate meat meal (MM) as an alternative protein source for fish meal in the diet of Japanese flounder. The diet containing 80% of white fish meal as a sole protein source was the control, and 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of fish meal protein were replaced by MM protein in experimental groups. Juvenile fish of about 3g in initial body weight were fed on each diet to satiation twice a day, 6 days per week for 8 weeks at 20°C.
Survival rates of fish ranged from 93 to 100% and were not significantly different among all dietary groups tested. The final body weight, weight gain, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed diets containing MM up to 60% substitution levels were statistically identical to those of fish fed the control diet, except that the feed efficiency in the 60% substitution diet was lower. Feed performances in diets replacing 80 and 100% of fish meal protein were significantly inferior to those in the control group. Supplements of crystalline amino acids to the MM diet did not seem to improve the nutritive value of the diet. Since substitution up to 60% did not adversely affect the hematological and hematochemical parameters as well as the body composition, it is considered thatabout 60% of white fish meal protein can be replaced by MM in the diet of juvenile Japanese flounder.
