The Fish Vet's Blog

The abstract below shows that fish protein may be substituted to some degree with plant proteins…..

But what effect will it have on their long-term nutritional needs?

Fish are generally marketed to consumers because they are a healthy choice and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish derive much of this from what they eat. So what effect will it have on the fatty acid content of the fish when it comes time to slaughter?

Perhaps we should turn to bread for our daily source of iodine, omega-3, fibre…..

Create Alert Add to Favorites Mark
Aquaculture
Volume 337, Number 1 (March 2012)
	Replacing fishmeal with blends of alternative proteins on growth performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and early or late stage juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
	Authors:	Gary S. Burr, William R. Wolters, Frederic T. Barrows, Ronald W. Hardy
	Author Affiliations:	no affiliations available
	Source:	Aquaculture, Volume 337, Number 1 (March 2012)
	Page Numbers:	110 – 116
	Available Full Text:	Full Text: Subscription Required to view full text Format: PDF Size: Unknown Location: Publisher’s Site Authentication: Publisher’s Site
	Abstract:	The purpose of this study was to evaluate blends of alternate proteins as replacements for fishmeal in diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and to use the results to develop and test alternate protein blends in diets for juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Nine experimental diets in which protein blends replaced 63%, 82% or 100% of fishmeal in the formulation (20, 10, and 0% fishmeal) were fed to rainbow trout (initial weight 19.5g) for 12weeks. Weight gains of trout fed diets containing the soy protein concentrate-based blend and the fishmeal control diet were similar, except at the 100% fishmeal replacement level, and significantly higher than that of trout fed diets containing the other blends. The soy protein blend and another based on wheat gluten meal were modified slightly and evaluated in early stage Atlantic salmon juveniles (initial weight 5.5g). Protein blends replaced 50%, 66% or 84% of fishmeal (30, 20 or 10% fishmeal). Weight gains of early stage juvenile salmon after 18weeks of feeding were significantly lower and feed conversion ratios higher when fed diets containing either blend compared to the fishmeal control diet, and gains decreased as level of fishmeal replacement increased. Blends were then modified further and tested in advance stage salmon juveniles (initial weight 31.5g). These blends were solely either all-plant protein-based or contained poultry by-product meal. Both blends were evaluated with or without addition of Spirulinaalgae meal. Alternate protein blends completely replaced fishmeal in experimental diets. After 12weeks of feeding, no differences in weight gain or feed conversion ratios were measured among groups fed experimental diets containing protein blends or the fishmeal control diet. Replacement of fishmeal with alternative protein blends in diets for early stage juvenile salmon is not recommended and the penalty in growth is severe. Fishmeal can be completely replaced in diets for late stage salmon over 30g without compromising fish performance or using land animal protein ingredients in feed formulations.
	Citation:	Gary S. Burr, William R. Wolters, Frederic T. Barrows, Ronald W. Hardy . Replacing fishmeal with blends of alternative proteins on growth performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and early or late stage juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Aquaculture, Volume 337, Number 1 (March 2012), pp. 110-116,
	URL:	http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=47808B9B64BB8CDDEC28

Four sharks have been sighted off the coast of Yanchep and the beaches in the vicinity remains closed (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/whale-carcass-attracts-sharks-to-metro-beaches-20120219-1tgvn.html).

This news article prompted me to think about the age old debate about whether sharks would eat humans. The prevailing socially acceptable answer out there is that they don’t. But are we underestimating their intelligence?

As a fish keeper and a veterinarian, I’ve read about, kept and observed numerous different fish species. One thing about their feeding habits is that they can learn to eat different foods. They can learn off their own species, and they can learn off other species. They can accept all types of live feeds, chopped up fresh meats and all sorts of dried foods. They will have a go and nibble and things to see if it’s edible. They will sample and eat things that they would never see in nature (e.g. cuttlefish and octopus to freshwater tropical ornamental fishes and boiled egg yolk to baby fish). So, why would a shark differ in their culinary behaviour?

So when a shark is given the opportunity to eat a human dressed like a seal, what do you think the shark’s next move would be?

NEWS, REVIEWS AND OPINIONS ON THE LATEST FISHKEEPING GADGETS.

Check out what’s new – some pages from Practical Fish Keeping Magazine which can be downloaded from the link below, courtesy of Nathan Hill.

Practical Fish Keeping – New Gadgets

Fish are unique in their ability to absorb minerals not only from their diets but also from water!

The Aquavet Admissions Committee found that Dr Loh was too overqualified to attend Aquavet I and have selected him to participate in Aquavet II instead.

Dr Loh’s trip to the US later this year has been made possible through the –

“People development program: 2011 Aquatic Animal Health Training Scheme is supported by funding from the FRDC
on behalf of the Australian Government”. This federal grant was won on a competitive basis.

Thank you to all those who have helped Dr Loh in the application process and by providing references and testimonials.

These can be viewed at – http://thefishvet.com.au/testimonials.html