Abstract

GARCIA-ULLOA GOMEZ, Manuel et al. Growth of fresh-water prawn Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871) juveniles fed isoproteic diets substituting fish meal by soya bean meal. Braz. arch. biol. technol. [online]. 2008, vol.51, n.1, pp. 57-65. ISSN 1516-8913.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132008000100008.

Growth parameters (standard length, weight, specific growth rate and daily weight gain) of prawn Macrobrachium tenellum juveniles fed 40% crude protein isoproteic diets substituting fish meal with soya bean meal at various levels (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) were evaluated for 45 days under laboratory conditions. Experimental diets were compared with a 100% fish meal based diet. Total survival was recorded for all the treatments at the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) for all the growth parameters among the dietary treatments. The initial mean weight (0.36 ± 0.10 g) increased almost three times (1.00 ± 0.13 g) after 45 days. The final specific growth fluctuated from 1.82% BW/d for the 60% soya bean meal inclusion diet, to 2.62% for the 100% fish meal diet. The mean final survival was 91.66%. Growth performance of M. tenellum juveniles was not affected by the dietary soya bean meal levels tested.

Keywords : Growth; fresh water prawn; Macrobrachium tenellum; isoproteic diets; soya bean meal; aquaculture.