Fish protein hydrolysate as an ingredient in diets for Arapaima gigas juveniles

Abstract

This study evaluated the dietary inclusion of a fish protein hydrolyzate (FPH) derived from tilapia trimmings on physiological and growth parameters of juveniles of Arapaima gigas. A total of 180 arapaima juveniles (91.4 ± 2.7 g) were used in a complete randomized design with six treatments (n = 3). Fish were fed to apparent satiation four times a day for eight weeks, with diets containing increasing inclusion levels of FPH (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20%). FPH diets did not affect growth and hemato-biochemical parameters of arapaima juveniles. The FPH from tilapia trimmings seems to be a suitable ingredient for arapaima over 90 g, feeds at least up to 20% inclusion level. No bioactive effects of the FPH could be detected.