Abstract:
We conducted a 12-week feeding trial to evaluate
the effects of total fishmeal replacement with different
corn co-products on growth performance, feed utilization
efficiency, and body composition in juvenile Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus. Five isonitrogenous diets were
prepared. Fifty percent of the dietary protein was obtained
from fishmeal (control diet) or from one of four corn coproducts
(experimental diets), namely corn protein concentrate,
corn gluten meal, high-protein distillers’ dried
grains (HPDDG), or distillers’ dried grains with solubles
(DDGS). Fish with an initial mean weight of 4.5 g were
fed one of the five diets twice a day to near satiety. Significantly
higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rates and survival
occurred in the fish fed the control diet or DDGS, followed
by those fed the HPDDG; mean feed intakes by fish in
these three groups were significantly greater than those in
the others. Food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio,
and total amino acid content of the whole body were not
affected by changes in dietary ingredients. Whole-body and
fillet protein contents were highest in the HPDDG group,
whereas the lipid content was highest in those fed DDGS.
DDGS can be used to fully replace the fishmeal components
of Nile tilapia diets.
