Replacement of fishmeal using poultry-based protein sources in feeds for pikeperch (Sander lucioperca, Linnaeus, 1758) during grow out phase

A 61-day growth experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of a poultry-based protein (PBP) comprising feather meal (FeM) and poultry meat bone (PMBM), as fishmeal (FM) substitute in diets juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca, L.). Pikeperch (initial body weight 113.12 g) were randomly distributed groups 250 fish twelve 1.8 m3 circular recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) tanks, fed four isonitrogenous (52% crude protein), isolipidic (17% lipid), isocaloric (21.80 KJ/g energy) experimental diets. The feeds contained FM primary source (PBP0) or PBP replacing 20 (PBP20), 40 (PBP40), 60% (PBP60) FM. Based on appetite calculated uneaten feed, feeding rate initially set at 1.5% subsequently reduced 1% total tank biomass towards end study. At experiment, average feed intake ranged from 1.93 2.00 g/fish/day (p > 0.05). No adverse effects efficiency observed PBP0, PBP20, PBP40. Particularly, final (FBW) (248.73, 240.11 g), conversion ratio (FCR) (0.86, 0.91), specific (SGR) (1.29, 1.35%/day), (PER) (2.20, 2.12) PBP20 PBP40 not significantly different control PBP0 whose values 248.11 g, 0.89, 1.27%/day, 2.18, respectively In all treatments, condition factor (k) (1.31 1.33), hepatosomatic index (HSI) (2.35 2.70%), visceral somatic (VSI) (6.87 7.19%), whole-body composition (57.77–58.28%) lipid (23.85–26.85%) influenced by dietary inclusion level However, ash content higher PBP60 (14.66%) compared other treatments (12.57–14.43%) < results this study, up 40% can be replaced for juveniles without compromising performance utilization.