Substitution of dietary fish meal protein by a mixture of protein concentrate and meat and bone meal in the diet of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch 1792)

The effect of substitution of fish meal protein by a mixture (1:1) of protein concentrate and meat and bone meal (PCMBM) in the diet of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus fry was evaluated. Five experimental diets were formulated to substitute 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% fish meal protein with PCMBM and fed to 0.89± 0.02 g fry stocked in 15 aquaria (46 × 41 × 41 cm) each with three replicates. Fish were fed to their apparent satiation three times daily for 8 weeks. Weight gain of fish fed with diet 3 (replacing 50% dietary fish meal) was significantly (p 0.05) between the weight gain of fish fed with diets 4 and 1 (control). Fish fed with diet 3 had significantly higher specific growth rate and apparent net protein utilisation. Although there was no significant difference between the carcass protein content of fish fed with different diets, the carcass moisture and lipid contents differed significantly (p>0.05). The results demonstrated that up to 75% of fish meal protein can be replaced by a mixture (1:1) of protein concentrate, and meat and bone meal (PCMBM) without adverse effects on growth and feed utilisation.