Low-protein supplement increases protein retention and reduces the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus wasted by rainbow trout fed on low-fat herring

The growth, food utilization and amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus lost into the water by rainbow trout (initial size 485 g) fed on low-fat Baltic herring and supplemented with a low-protein dry diet fed separately were studied in an 18-week net cage trial. Similarly to balancing protein and nonprotein energy in full diets, giving nonprotein energy in different feeds several hours apart improved the protein retention of low-fat herring to a level comparable to a commercially available dry diet control. The amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus lost into the water were also reduced to the same extent. The losses from the plain herring-feeding were twice as high. The improved protein retention and reduced nutrient losses were accompanied by 15-25% reductions in growth of the fish compared with the control dry diet. The growth of the fish fed on plain herring was 14% lower than the growth on the dry diet control.