Lysine levels, based on the ideal protein concept, in diets for Nile tilapia fingerlings

The effects of the digestible lysine level were assessed in feeds for Nile tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus), based on the ideal protein concept. Four hundred and thirty two reverted fingerlings were used, average weight 1.12 ± 0.02 g, in a randomized complete design, consisting of 6 feeds, six replications and twelve fish per experimental unit. The diets consisted of a basal diet with 29.12% crude protein and 3,000 kcal/kg digestible energy, supplemented with synthetic amino acids, resulting in six diets with 0.95; 1.10; 1.25; 1.40; 1.55 and 1.70% digestible lysine and minimum ratios between methionine plus cystine, threonine, thryptophan, isoleucine, arginine with the lysine (66, 77, 23, 64 and 85%, respectively), based on digestible values. The fish were maintained in 130 liter aquaria equipped with individual water and controlled temperature and aeration. The fish were fed to apparent satiation, six times a day, for 30 days. Growth performance, body composition, body protein and fat deposition and nitrogen retention efficiency of the fish were evaluated. The increase in the dietary digestible lysine did not affect the survival rate and body fat level of the fishes. However, there was linear improvement in all the other parameters assessed, except lysine use efficiency and the body humidity, that showed quadratic and lineardecline, respectively. The levels of 1.80 (0.600% Mcal of DE) total lysine and 1.70% (0.567% Mcal of DE) digestible lysine, respectively, result in the best performance and carcass characteristics of Nile tilapia fingerlings, when the ideal protein concept is used to formulate the experimental diets.