Ratio protein:carbohydrate on performance and metabolism of Juvenile (Lophiosilurus alexandri)

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of inclusion between protein and carbohydrate on performance and some metabolic responses in juvenile pacama (Lophiosilurus alexandri). We tested four diets regarding protein/carbohydrate (PB: CHO) 1.24, 0.84, 0.51 and 0.33 for 60 days. The experiment was conducted with 240 juvenile pacama initially weighing 1.90g, fed twice daily (8% of the biomass). We evaluated the total weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion, carcass yield and visceral fat. Glucose, total plasma free amino acids and liver glycogen were also evaluated. The relationship PB: CHO influenced (P < 0.05) the performance and metabolism parameters except the liver glycogen. Higher concentrations of glucose and total plasma free amino acids were observed in fish that were fed the diet containing the highest ratio PB: CHO (1.24); and we also observed better mean weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion. A higher percentage of visceral fat and lower carcass yield were observed in animals treated with diet composed by the lower ratio PB: CHO (0.33). We can conclude that a diet with a ratio PB: CHO of 1.24, promotes better performance and metabolic responses in juvenile pacama.