Phosphorus is considered one of the most important mineral in animal nutrition. In vegetables feedstuffs this mineral can be less available because his chemistry connection with other minerals and nutrients, named the phosphorus phytic or phytate. Thus this research was aimed evaluating different levels of available phosphorus in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings based on weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, survival and body composition. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatment (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 e 1.25% of available phosphorus) and five replicates. The rations used to evaluate the different levels of available phosphorus were exclusively formulated, using vegetables feedstuffs, to contain 30.0% PD, 3300kcal of DE kg-1 and the same rate between calcium:phosphorus. Based on these results, 0.75% of available phosphorus in Nile tilapia fingerlings diets determines a better growth performance and body chemical composition.
mineral; phytate; fishes; nutrition; Oreochromis niloticus
