Aquafeed expenses constitute up to 60% of the total operational costs for intensive aquaculture production. Thus, lowering prices without altering feed nutritional balance is a priority for economic sustainability of aquaculture and a target research area.
Carbohydrates are the cheapest dietary energy source. Its adequate dietary inclusion will reduce lipid and protein catabolism for energy; ultimately, reducing feed cost and ammonia release to the environment.Fish utilization of carbohydrates is specie-specific and dependable on carbohydrate source and inclusion levels. Herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater fish will utilize higher carbohydrate levels compared to carnivorous marine fish.Florida pompano reports some nutritional studies, but little is known about carbohydrate metabolism. The objective of this research is to determine the effects of different carbohydrate sources on Florida pompano growth.To this end, five isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isocaloric diets were formulated using different carbohydrate sources. At the end of the 10-week growth trial,fish were assessed:growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, hepatic enzyme activity, gene expression and gut microbiome variations.
The results of this study will reveal for the first time carbohydrate utilization in Florida pompano. The understanding of these findings will allow fish farmers to develop and formulate a more cost-effective diet. Thus, fostering the profitability of culturing Florida pompano.