Effects of Artificial Diets on Biological Performances of Acanthopagrus latus Broodstock in the Persian Gulf

Effects of artificial diets on growth, spawning performance, egg and larval biochemical compositions and quality of Acanthopagrus latus in the Persian Gulf were studied. Nine diets representing a combination of three protein levels (40, 50 and 60%) and three energy levels (22.5, 23.5 and 24.5 MJ GE/Kg) were tested in triplicates. Each tank was stocked with 10 fish with a sex ratio of 1:1 and with an average weight of 415g and 236g for females and males, respectively. Fish were fed to satiation, twice daily. The growth of Acanthopagrus latus broodstock was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by dietary protein and energy levels. Biometry, relative fecundity and survival rate and crude protein and lipid of eggs, hatchling and 3 day post-hatch (3DPH) larvae were significantly affected (P < 0.05), but spawning performance and body composition of broodstock, with the exception of body crude protein and lipid were not significantly affected by dietary protein and energy levels. This study revealed the best spawning performances of A. latus broodstock were achieved at 40% dietary protein and 23.5 MJ GE/Kg dietary energy.