A preliminary evaluation of the effect of fish protein hydrolysate in diet on the growth and survival of European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles

Prior studies have measured the effects on productive performance of supplementing fish diets with fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) as an alternative protein source. Initial results have suggested a positive impact on fish health and this study aimed to investigate specifically the impact of a 5% substitution of FPH on European Whitefish juveniles. A 56-day manual feeding trial was conducted on two triplicate groups of 500 fish, consulting of a control diet group and 5% FPH diet group. A feeding rate of 3% of total biomass was applied with feeding being carried out three times a day. The specific growth rates and organosomatic indices recorded were not significantly different between the two groups. However, survival rate was significantly higher in the experimental group (88.67±2.30 % vs. 81.33±2.30 %). While the study did not identify any negative effects from the inclusion of FPH in diet on growth and morphophysiology, it is indicative that there may be a positive effect on the immune systems of fish. Additional research is required on the hematological, biochemical and immunological effects of FPH inclusion and the level of inclusion rate to determine its value as a sustainable protein source in aquaculture production.