Protein and energy requirements of [tilapia zillii] fingerlings

ABSTRACT

Two experiments were conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein and energy requirement of Tilapia zillii fingerlings. In the first experiment, four semipurified, isocaloric [360 kCal ME/100 g diet] diets with protein levels ranging from 25 to 40% were fed to the fish for nine weeks. Maximum growth rates were achieved at 35% protein with P/E ratio of 100 mg crude protein/kCal ME, while protein and energy retention were negatively correlated with P/E ratio in the diets. In the second experiment, T. zillii were fed semipurified diets with a constant P/E ratio of 100 at variable protein [25-40%] and energy [250-400 kCal ME/100 g] levels at 30% protein and 300 kCal ME/100 g. This indicated that as adequate protein and energy levels with the proper P/E ratio, the proportion of dietary protein oxidized for energy can be saved for growth