Sustainable Marine Aquaculture

EFFECT OF PROTEIN QUALITY AND DIETARY LIPID LEVEL ON GROWTH AND FEED UTILIZATION IN BLACK SEA BASS

Research Team:
Marty Riche (USDA) - Principle Investigator
Dave Haley (USDA)

Little is known about the nutrient requirements of Black Sea Bass. As with other marine carnivores, it is presumed Black Sea Bass require high dietary protein, which along with dietary lipid serves as the major sources of energy. In some species, increasing the amount of dietary lipids can reduce the amount of protein required as the lipid is used for energy and more protein is available for muscle building. However, feeds with too much lipid, or energy, can reduce consumption and growth as well as increase unwanted body fat. Analysis of Black Sea Bass fed a commercial feed suggested the diet contained too much lipid and energy. We evaluated growth and nutrient utilization in Black Sea Bass fed diets with a high quality protein or a low quality protein and different amounts of lipid to identify dietary lipid and energy levels for the highest weight gain without unduly increasing body fat. We determined there was no increase in growth of black sea bass when dietary lipid was increased from 7% to 16% of the diet regardless of the protein quality. However, a high quality protein was important for attaining maximum growth. As a result of these findings fish feed manufacturers are able to formulate less expensive and more efficient feeds for Black Sea Bass.