Growth, Food Conversion and Survival of Fingerling Tilapia aurea Fed Differing Levels of Dietary Beef Tallow

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Tilapia aurea fingerlings offered isonitrogenous (32% protein), isocaloric (3600 kcal/kg) semipurified diets for 12 weeks grew significantly larger (P < 0.05) on a 12% beef tallow diet than on a fat-free diet. No significant growth differences were found between the above diets and others which contained 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 14% beef tallow. Feed conversion ratio patterns (g dry feed offered/g weight gain) were similar to those for growth. Best food conversion (1.9) occurred in fish fed 12% beef tallow, while poorest (2.8) occurred in fish fed the fat-free diet. Survival was greater than 90% in all treatments, with most losses attributable to escapement. The results of this experiment indicate that beef tallow is a poor dietary lipid source for T. aurea. The generally poor growth may have been due to the relatively low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids available in the diets.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: