Development of a semipurified test diet for determining amino acid requirements of Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus reared under low-salinity conditions

Two trials were conducted to develop a semipurified test diet for determining indispensable amino acid (IAA) requirements for Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus. The objective of the first trial was to evaluate casein and corn gluten meal as principal intact protein sources, and the ability of Florida pompano to utilize l-crystalline amino acids in the diet. Eight isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isoenergetic (22.0kJ/kg) diets were formulated. A 2×4 factorial was employed to evaluate the two intact proteins, each with four amino acid profiles that mimicked the ratio of IAA in pompano whole body, pompano unfertilized eggs, menhaden fish meal, or unsupplemented negative control. Growth and efficiency were significantly better (P