Research Article

Diverse Protein Levels and their Impact on Survival and Growth Proficiency of Monosex Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in Captivity

Naeem Tariq Narejo1*, Muhammad Hanif Chandio2, Faheem Saddar3, Majida Parveen Narejo4, Bushra Ainy Dars5, Hafeez ur Rehman Narejo6, Athar Mustafa Laghari2, Shafiq ur Rehman Shaikh3, Shahnaz Rashid7 and Ghulam Abbas7

1Department of Freshwater Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan; 2Department of Fisheries (Inland) Government of Sindh Thandi Sarrak, Hyderabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Marine Fisheries, Government of Pakistan, West Warf, Karachi,, Pakistan; 4Departtment of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan; 5Planning and Development Department Government of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan; 6Environment Climate Change and Coastal Development Department, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan; 7Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan.

Received | September 15, 2023; Accepted | October 16, 2023; Published | November 24, 2023

*Correspondence | Naeem Tariq Narejo, Department of Freshwater Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan; Email: naeem.tariq@usindh.edu.pk

Citation | Narejo, N.T., M.H. Chandio, F. Saddar, M.P. Narejo, B.A. Dars, H.R. Narejo, A.M. Laghari, S.R. Shaikh, S. Rashid and G. Abbas. 2023. Diverse protein levels and their impact on survival and growth proficiency of monosex tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in captivity. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 39(4): 898-904.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2023/39.4.898.904

Keywords | Nile tilapia, Growth, Survival, Protein, Glass aquaria

Copyright: 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Tilapia has now become the prioritized farmed fish after carps (FAO, 2014; Cao et al., 2015; Saikia and Das, 2015; Fitzsimmons, 2016). Its farming is being expanded world widely in both developed and developing countries. Being cultured in tough environmental conditions and breed easily in captivity are the features making them ideal for culturing. Dietary protein is considered as the main nutrient for good growth; hence adequate nutritional amount is required for optimal growth of any living body. The quantity of energy in the diet of fish holds considerable importance, as an excessive amount of useable energy can potentially limit the intake of protein and other essential elements, leading to hindered growth (Abbas and Siddiqui, 2013). Therefore, it is crucial to upsize appropriate feed stuffs that will be practiced moreover as additional régime in artificial condition and in whole feed in cisterns. Escalation of tilapia culture is a virtuous solution for increasing fish production. Therefore, it is essential to manufacture appropriate feeds either additional supplemental and ample diet in different conditions and cisterns. Various researches have been conducted on tilapia such (El-Saidy and Gaber, 2005; Abdel-Tawwab et al., 2010; Ng and Romano, 2013; Saikia and Das, 2015; Cao et al., 2015; Saikia and Das, 2015; Nguyen, 2016; Yue et al., 2016; Fitzsimmons, 2016). Shiau and Lin (2006) conducted experiments and discovered that amino acids are needed since the fish cannot synthesize them in sufficient numbers and hence must be provided by the meal for muscle production, enzymatic processes, and energy supply to the fish, which helps them grow. Agbo et al. (2011), on the other hand, observed that 50% crude protein was sufficient to sustain the growth of brooder fish fed fishmeal-added cottonseed-based diets. Excessive amounts of dietary protein that are metabolized for energy should, when suitable, be substituted by cheaper alternative sources of energy (Li et al., 2023). Hence, this experiment initiates to find outcome of various protein ratios in diets on the growth of mono-sex Nile Tilapia. As obtained protein ratio in the diet for this fish species might be significantly in preparation of a nutritious feed for successful intensive culture.

Materials and Methods

Fingerlings availability

A healthy group of experimental fish with uniform size (0.5 g) was obtained from a mono sex seed production hatchery. The fish were acclimatized in 10 aquaria size (W-18, L-6 and H-8 inches) and were maintained and designed as different treatments namely T-I, T-II and T-III with three replications. The experimental aquaria were supplied aeration through blower. The growth and water quality parameters were noted monthly during the experimental period of three months.

Feed ingredients availability

The test diets were prepared by the locally obtainable raw materials including mustard oil cake (MOC), wheat and rice bran powder and wheat flour was assembled from the market of Hyderabad and Thatta. The experimental diets were formulated after grinding, sieving and after mixing were manually put in the pellet machine for the pellets (1mm). Diet composition feed is presented in (Table 1). All the diets were assigned in triplicates and were hand fed at 20-15 per body weight 4 times daily.

 

Table 1: Feed ingredient (%) for the rearing of Oreochromis niloticus.

Ingredient	Protein/ kg (%)	T-I (35%)	T-II (40%)	T-III (45%)
MOC	30.33%	250	250	300
Fish meal	59.61%	400	500	600
Rice bran	10.26%	150	70	30
Wheat bran	12.92%	140	120	30
Wheat flour	12.92%	50	50	30
Salt	-	5	5	5
Vitamin	-	5	5	5
		1000 g	1000 g	1000 g

 

Sampling

The sampling was done once a month. Fish body weight and length were measured carefully. The aquaria were syphoned to prevent the growth of resident ammonia.

Water quality

During the culture phase, water temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) (mg/L), total dissolved salts (TDS), and salinity were all measured and maintained. Temperature was measured using a glass Celsius thermometer, salinity with a refractometer, total dissolved salts with a TDS meter, and pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) with digital pH meter and DO meter, respectively.

Data analysis

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate how protein levels affected the results. Then, Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was applied with a 5% threshold of significance (Zar, 2001).

Results and Discussion

Cost of experimental feeds

Price of the ingredients is presented in Table 2. Feed T-I had the price of Rs. 24.9/kg, T-II Rs. 26.9/kg and T-III had a total cost of 28.25/kg.

 

Table 2: Costs of the experimental feeds (Rs./kg).

Ingredient	T-I (35%)		T-II (40%)		T-III (45%)
	Quantity	Cost	Quantity	Cost	Quantity	Cost
MOC	250	7.50	250	7.50	300	9.00
Fish meal	400	12.0	500	15.0	600	18.0
Rice bran	150	1.80	70	0.90	30	0.25
Wheat bran	140	1.60	120	1.50	30	0.25
Wheat flour	50	1.50	50	1.50	30	0.25
Salt+Vitamin	10	0.50	10	0.50	10	0.50
		24.9		26.9		28.25

 

Proximate analysis

Proximate analysis of experimental diets is presented in Table 3. Highest NFE appeared in the diets of T-II followed by T-III, though T-I possessed lowest NFE content.

 

Table 3: Proximate compositions of the diets for the rearing of Oreochromis niloticusjuveniles.

	Moisture	Crude protein	Crude lipid	Ash	Crude fiber	NFE
T-I	15.2± 0.19a	35± 0.19a	10.5± 0.19a	14.2± 0.19a	13.1± 0.19a	12.0± 0.19b
T-II	10.0± 0.19a	40± 0.19b	10± 0.19a	10.8± 0.19b	10.0± 0.19b	19.20± 0.19a
T-III	9.1± 0.19a	45± 0.19c	11± 0.19a	11± 0.19b	11.0± 0.19b	13± 0.19b

Nitrogen Free Extract calculated as: 100-% (Moisture + Protein +Lipid +Ash + Crude Fiber).

 

Growth performance

Fish body initial and final mean weight, WG (% g), SGR, survival rate, FCR, and yield is given in Table 4. O. niloticus having an initial body weight of 0.5 g attained a weight of 40.5 g, 52.2g, and 49.3g for T-I, T-II, and T-III. The maximum gain in weight was recorded in T-II (51.5 g) and the lowest was observed in T-I (39.5g). The survival rate was unaffected in T-I and T-II when compared to the T-III. Specific growth rate (SGR) was higher in T-II - 0.023 (%/day) and lower in T-I, 0.021 (%/day). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were 0.9 g, 1.4g and 3.0g for T-I, T-II and T-III, respectively. The fish production values were 0.09 kg/m2, 0.12 kg/m2 and 0.11 kg/m2 for T-I, T-II and T-III throughout the study period.

 

Table 4: Growth parameters of Oreochromisniloticus throughout the study period.

Parameters	T-I	T-II	T-III
Mean initial weight (g)	0.5±0.19	0.5±0.19	0.5±0.19
Mean final weight (g)	40.5±3.86	52.2±7.84	49.3±3.95
Weight gain (g)	39.5±1.23b	51.5±2.63a	48.5±1.95a
1SGR (%/day)	0.021	0.023	0.022
Survival	98%	98%	92%
2FCR	0.9±3.86a	1.4±3.86a	3.0±3.86b
Production/kg/m2	0.09±3.86	0.12±3.86	0.11±3.86

1SGR= Specific Growth Rate; 2FCR= Feed Conversion Rate.

 

Water quality parameters

The temperature varied significantly (p 0.05) over the course of the research period (Table 5). T-III experienced the highest temperature (32 C) in June, while T-I experienced the lowest temperature (25.5) in April (Table 5). Dissolved oxygen was maintained by supplying the aeration. T-II showed higher DO (5.65 mg/l) in the month of June, while T-III showed the lowest (3.63 mg/) in the month of April. Salinity level remained constant throughout the study period. Total dissolved solids (TDS) appeared to be lowest in the treatment 45% in the month of April.

Although O. niloticus growth was suppressed when fed 45% protein in the current study, it is possible that feeding fish with 45% protein in the diet is not cost-effective. Therefore, it could be reasonable to add 40% more protein to the diet of O. niloticus. At a higher protein ratio (45%), growth and conversion efficiency significantly decreased, demonstrating that a diet with

 

Table 5: Monthly changes in water quality parameters throughout the study.

Parameter	T-I (35% protein)			T-II (40% protein)			T-III (45% protein)
	April 2016	May 2016	June 2016	April 2016	May 2016	June 2016	April 2016	May 2016	June 2016
T (°C)	25.5± 0.5	28.5± 0.3	29.5± 0.5	26.5± 0.2	29.5± 0.4	31.0± 01.0	28.5± 0.5	30.5±0.3	32.5±0.5
DO (mg/L)	4.16± 0.062	4.83± 1.24	3.8± 0.4	4.2± 0.49	4.75± 0.75	5.65± 0.45	3.63± 0.98	3.8±1.5	4.25±0.65
Salinity (ppt)	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25± 0.05	0.25±0.05	0.25±0.05
TDS	314±23	250±7.5	305±5.5	300±10	305± 6.5	230± 50	226± 16	300.5±6.5	287±7.5
pH	8.1±0.4	8.22±0.17	8.18±0.18	8±0.3	8.1± 00.1	8.05± 0.05	6.8±0.3	8.0±0.5	8.75±0.25

 

40% protein (T-II) met the requirement and was the most effective for maximizing growth and achieving outstanding conversion efficiency. Researches with various species have been found that are in agreement with our current study (Jauncey, 1982; Cho et al., 1985; Khan and Jafri, 1990; Vergara et al., 1996; Bai et al., 1999; Ng et al., 2001; Kim et al., 2002; Kim and Lee, 2005; Wang et al., 2006). The fact that the fish stop consuming the protein once the ideal level has been reached may be the cause of the growth reduction at protein levels higher than 40%. A surplus of protein in the diet may reduce performance because catabolism requires more energy than protein synthesis (Siddiqui and Khan, 2009). Due to a lack of non-protein energy required to deaminate and eliminate extra absorbed amino acids, weight gain may be reduced at greater or excessive protein levels (Cho et al., 1985; Jauncey, 1982; Kim et al., 2002; Vergara et al., 1996). Various researchers have noted varying protein requirements for tilapia species, such as Balarin (1982), who came to the conclusion that tilapia fry needed 35–50% protein. He also noted that fish weighing 1–5g needed 30–40% protein, and fish weighing 5–25g needed 25–35% protein. According to Hamza and Kenawy (1997), in the instance of Nile tilapia, a feed with a 40% protein content performed better than other levels of other feedstuffs. Hafedh (1999) reported that fish fed with 40 – 45% exhibits significantly better feed conversation, survival, and growth in contrasts to feed with 25 – 35%. These results may be because of fish pertains to live with optimum protein level may be insufficient for such species. The results of a few researchers are in agreement with present work. Other researchers found alike results on the studies based on various feed trials with different protein concentrations for the rearing of Nile tilapia. The protein ratios of several species of tilapia have been estimated to range between 20% and 56% (De Silva and Perera, 1985; Siddiqui et al., 1988; El-Sayed and Teshima, 1991; Hamza and Kenawy, 1997) observed maximum growth of fish fed with 40% protein then other stuffs, (Hafedh, 1999; Khattab et al., 2000); observed maximum protein requirement ranged between 38-40% which is in range with present study. Few authors from different countries reported little bit variation in results like El-Saidy and Gaber (2005) reported 25% protein diet at 2% body weight is suggested for Nile tilapia cultured in concrete cisterns. The decreasing trend in our study in terms of growth has also been reported in Catla catla (Dars et al., 2010), Anguilla japonic (Nose and Arai, 1972), Pleuronectes platessa (Cowey, 1972) and Ctenopharyngodon idella (Dabrowski, 1977) identical to those described for this investigation, with the increasing level of protein above the optimum. On the other hand, researchers like Narejo et al. (2002) studied the growth of the snake eel Pisodonophis boro and discovered that fish fed with 35% protein produced noticeably higher growth than fish fed with 40% and 45% protein. For higher growth, survival, and output when raising Mastacembelus armatus in cemented cisterns, Narejo et al. (2003), reported 35% gross protein. According to Narejo et al. (2015), the pellet feed with 38% (gross protein) was shown to be the ideal protein requirement for Labeorohita intensive cultivation. All of these observations lend weight to the conclusions of the current investigation. The observed water quality parameters were determined to be within acceptable ranges during the study period, as reported by (Narejo et al., 2002, 2003, 2015).

Conclusions and Recommendations

It was concluded that the 40% protein feed and stocking density 20 fish/L was found to be the best for the culture of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in aquaria for the intensive culture under control conditions. Fish growth is influenced by the amount of protein in the diet and survival rate by the stocking density. Hence feeding optimum protein with suitable stocking density will increase the production. Environmental conditions and stocking density should be optimum since they affect feed intake and efficiency. These parameters are very important since they determine the general survival of the fish.

Acknowledgments

This research project was funded by Sindh Fisheries Department (Inland), Government of Sindh, Pakistan for whichProf. Dr. Naeem Tariq Narejo (PI) is highly obliged Sindh Fisheries Department.

Novelty Statement

Fish growth is influenced by the amount of protein in the diet and survival rate by the stocking density. Hence feeding optimum protein with suitable stocking density will increase the production.

Author’s Contribution

Naeem Tariq Narejo: The experiment was designed and conceptualized by.

Muhammad Hanif Chandio: Contributed to the collection of data.

Faheem Saddar: Gathered samples of young fish for the study.

Bushra Ainy Dars and Majida Parveen Narejo: Feed preparation

Hafeez ur Rehman Narejo and Athar Mustafa Laghari: Data analysis

Shafiq ur Rahman Shaikh: Contributed to the chemical analysis

Ghulam Abbas and Shahnaz Rashid: Helped in format setting and provided appropriate materials.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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