The effect of dietary taurine and its potential biosynthesis on juvenile grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) performance

The grey mullet is a catadromous species that spawns in the taurine-rich seawater environment, followed by young fish generally migrating to less saline, low taurine waters during larva-juvenile transition. Consequently, this study aimed (1) determines whether there dietary requirement juvenile for enhanced growth and (2) potential biosynthesis. experimental system consisted of sixteen 400-l V-tanks, where filtered, UV-treated ambient (40 ‰) entered bottom tanks at rate 7 tank exchanges/day. This allowed testing four 1 mm pelleted diets (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0% DW diet) replicates 4 tanks/treatment 58 days. Grey juveniles demonstrated (P<0.05) specific 0.5% diet improved growth. Fish fed displayed populations with markedly (P < 0.05) higher average number surviving (23.4±1.1) moderately sized (10- 20 g) cohorts than smaller (< 10 individuals (12.5±1.1). In contrast, control (0% taurine) exhibited similar numbers small moderate (18.0±3.6-20.0±4.1). Dietary accumulated highly muscles dose dependent manner but so eyes, liver. gene expression liver cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSD) an upregulation from 0 1% was down regulated 2% diet.