Effects of dietary copper sources on growth, tissue copper accumulation and physiological responses of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) (Cuvier, 1828) fed semipurified or practical diets

An 8‐week trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a chelated copper (Cu) with the inorganic Cu (CuSO₄), in the diet of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Six diets were prepared based on two basal diets (semi‐purified or practical) at two Cu inclusion levels (0 and 4 mg kg⁻¹ from or chelated‐Cu), accordingly named as S0, SI4, SM4, P0, PI4 and PM4 respectively. Each diet was fed to quadruplicate groups of Japanese sea bass (initial weight: 65.0 ± 0.03 g) during the trial. Fish fed practical diets had higher feed intake, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rate (PER), liver Cu accumulation, liver Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase and plasma alkaline phosphatase, but lower hepatosomatic index than the groups fed semi‐purified diets (P