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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175340
Title: DIGESTIBILITY OF GROSS NUTRIENTS BY SUNSHINE BASS (MORONE CHRYSOPS X M. SAXATILIS) FROM ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIALLY BLENDED PRODUCTS USED AS FISHMEAL REPLACEMENTS

Author
item Rawles, Steven - Steve
item Gaylord, Thomas
item GATLIN, DELBERT - TAMU

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2005
Publication Date: 12/14/2005
Citation: Rawles, S.D., Gaylord, T.G., Gatlin, D.M. 2005. Digestibility of gross nutrients by sunshine bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) from animal by-products and commercially blended products used as fishmeal replacements. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 68:74-80.

Interpretive Summary: Hybrid striped bass (HSB) farming is an emerging U.S. industry and faces increasing competition from foreign producers. Feed is the largest cost in fish farming. One obstacle to economical diets for HSB is a lack of data on nutrient digestibility from different feedstuffs. Experiments conducted at the H.K.D. Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center determined the digestibility of protein, lipid, organic matter and energy in feedstuffs for HSB. Nutritionally complete diets containing a test ingredient were extruded like those fed on fish farms. Tanks of HSB were fed the diets for several days and feces were collected and analyzed to determine the amount of nutrients the fish digested. The feedstuffs tested were ring-dried blood meal, poultry by-product meal, fish solubles and four commercially blended fishmeal substitutes (PRO-PAK, PRO-PAK65, Pro-Con 65RDB, and 60FMC). Apparent organic matter digestibility coefficient values for these products ranged from 47% for 60FMC to 130% for fish solubles, while apparent energy digestibility coefficients paralleled these values and ranged from 48 to 114%, for 60FMC and fish solubles, respectively. Apparent lipid digestibility coefficients ranged from 49% for PRO-PAK65 to 79% for poultry by-product meal, and apparent digestibility of protein ranged from 47% for 60FMC to 70% for fish solubles. These data will allow scientists and feed mills to formulate less expensive, yet nutritious, diets for HSB.

Technical Abstract: In order to more accurately formulate feeds for hybrid striped bass, data on the availability of nutrients from feedstuffs are needed to compliment information on nutritional requirements. An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent protein, lipid, energy and organic matter digestibility coefficients for an assortment of commercially available feedstuffs and blended products used as fishmeal replacements. The feedstuffs tested were ring-dried blood meal, poultry by-product meal, fish solubles and four commercially blended fishmeal substitutes (PRO-PAK, PRO-PAK65, Pro-Con 65RDB, and 60FMC). Apparent organic matter digestibility coefficient values for these products ranged from 47% for 60FMC to 130% for fish solubles, while apparent energy digestibility coefficients paralleled these values and ranged from 48 to 114%, for 60FMC and fish solubles, respectively. Apparent lipid digestibility coefficients ranged from 49% for PRO-PAK65 to 79% for poultry by-product meal, and apparent digestibility of protein ranged from 47% for 60FMC to 70% for fish solubles. These values provide needed information to feed manufacturers and will allow for more accurate substitutions for these feedstuffs in aquafeeds.