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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Aberdeen, Idaho » Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307568
Title: Response of White Sea Bass to practical diets with varying levels of protein

Author
item JIRSA, DAVE - Hubbs-Sea World
item DAVIS, ALLEN - Auburn University
item Barrows, Frederic
item ROY, LUKE - Auburn University
item DRAWBRIDGE, MARK - Hubbs-Sea World

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/17/2013
Publication Date: 1/8/2014
Citation: Jirsa, D., Davis, A., Barrows, F., Roy, L., Drawbridge, M. 2014. Response of white sea bass to practical diets with varying levels of protein. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 76(1):24-27.

Interpretive Summary: The White Sea Bass is a popular sport fish on the western coast of the U.S. It is highly prized for the quality of its meat, so there is a lot of interest in raising these fish for food production. A study was conducted to get an estimate of optimal protein and fat levels for the diet. Fish grew the best when fed a diet containing 40% protein and 10% fat.

Technical Abstract: Interest in the commercial culture of White Sea Bass atractoscion nobilis on the western coast of the United States has been increasing in recent years. Despite this interest, there is a scarcity of knowledge on the dietary requirements of this species, particularly as it relates to basic nutrient requirements and selection of feeds. Hence, we evaluated a wide range of protein levels (31, 34, 37, 40, 43, and 46%) with practical lipid levels (5.75, 7, 8.25, 9.5, 10.75, and 12%) to initiate the development of a species-specific commercial diet for White Sea Bass. A 56-d trial was conducted in a recirculating system at Hubbs–SeaWorld Research Institute’s marine fish hatchery in Carlsbad, California. Diets were formulated to contain 20–30% fish meal and offered to juvenile White Sea Bass (3.6 g mean initial weight). At the conclusion of the growth trial final weights ranged from 13.9 to 15.9 g, and percent weight gain ranged from 278.2% to 345.6% and generally increased with protein level. Protein retention ranged from 25.2% to 33.7% and was significantly lower for fish offered the diets containing 43% and 46% protein. Based on growth and protein retention, the use of a diet incorporating 40% protein and 10% lipid is recommended for juvenile White Sea Bass.