Effect of dietary dextrin levels on the growth performance, blood chemistry, body composition, hepatic triglicerides and glycogen of Lebranche mullet juveniles (Mugil liza Valenciennes 1836, Mugilidae)

Summary The effects of increasing levels of dietary dextrin on growth performance, body composition, blood chemistry and hepatic triglycerides and glycogen levels were evaluated for juvenile Lebranche mullet, Mugil liza Valenciennes 1836, Mugilidae). Five diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (350 g kg−1) and isolipidic (6 g kg−1) with increasing dextrin levels (D150: 150 g kg−1; D200: 200 g kg−1; D250: 250 g kg−1; D300: 300 g kg−1; D350: 350 g kg−1). The experimental diets were offered to the fish for 34 days, four times per day, until apparent satiation. Each treatment was tested in triplicate, with nine fish per tank (mean weight 4.69 ± 0.31 g). Fish were reared in a recirculating aquatic system of 15 fibreglass tanks each containing 50 L of saltwater. Growth parameters and body composition of the mullets were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary treatments. Plasma glucose concentration declined (P