Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2024, 69(12):471-483 | DOI: 10.17221/129/2024-CJAS

Evaluation of weaning diets for sustainable indoor largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) larvicultureOriginal Paper

Jovanka Lukić ORCID...¹, Norbert Vass², László Ardó², Jelena Stanivuk ORCID...², Éva Lengyel-Kónya³, Nataša Golić¹, Zsuzsanna Jakabné Sándor², Uroš Ljubobratović ORCID...²

¹ Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE), Belgrade, Serbia

² Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Research Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szarvas, Hungary

³ Institute of Food Science and Technology, Food Science Research Group (MATE),Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

Keywords: fat; free amino acids; freshwater fish; intact proteins; marine ingredients; skeleton development

Received: August 3, 2024; Accepted: October 29, 2024; Published: December 23, 2024  Show citation