(The protein levels in isocaloric diets for hybrid tilapia (I) Fingerlings production performance in aquaria and tanks).

Abstract

The experiment was set up in two batches in aquaria and brick layering ponds at the Aquaculture Center of UNESP, "Campus" Jaboticabal, S. Paulo, Brazil, from September, 1979 to March, 1980, aiming the determination of the optimum protein dietary leveI that promotes the best performance for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis hornorum ââ„¢"š x O. niloticus ♀) fingerlins. Three isocaloric rations (estimated 3,100 kcal ME/kg) are formulated with 12, 18 and 24% crude protein leveIs. It was observed that only the fishes that received the diet containing the least crude protein level differed from the other treatments (diets containing 18 and 24% protein) presenting the worst performance. Considering the data obtained in both experimental periods the maximum growth of fishes could be expected with a diet formulated with the same ingredients containing 22.26% crude protein, under the experimental conditions.