Effects of different dietary protein levels on growth and Survival rate of megalops (Megalops atlanticus) fingerlings

Abstract

The effects of different dietary Protein levels on growth and survival rate of fingerlings of Megalops atlanticus were investigated using three formulated diets of varying protein levels; 35 CP (T1), 40 CP (T2), 45 CP (T3) and Coppens (T4) as the control in circular plastic tanks in triplicates. The results indicated that the weight gain was 32.34±6.07 in control, 22.09±1.78 in T2, 18.15±1.69 in T3 and 14.13±1.78 in T1. Protein intake was significantly different (P>0.05) between control and other treatments, but there was no significant (P>0.05) between T3 and T2. The protein efficiency ratio did not show any significant difference between Control, T1 and T2, but significantly different from T3. The survival rate ranges from 45±1.00% to 66.67±2.08%. The optimal crude protein recorded in this work was a 40 % cap. The low survival rate may have resulted from the culture system.