Abstract
Age-0 striped bass M. saxatilis were fed 1 of 3 formulated diets containing 34, 44 or 55% crude protein or a blueback herring Alosa aestivalis reference diet. Striped bass fed the 55% crude-protein formula diet had the highest average weight gain and feed efficiency. Protein efficiency ratio and protein retained were highest in striped bass fed the 34% crude protein diet. Whole-body protein concentration was unaffected by dietary protein concentration. Whole-body moisture increased and whole-body lipid decreased with increasing dietary protein concentration. Striped bass whole-body lipid concentration was negatively correlated with whole-body moisture concentration within each dietary treatment.