Can Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate Serve as a Feed Ingredient for Feeding Juvenile Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens)?

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of alfalfa nutrient concentrate (ANC) used in feed for yellow perch. We assessed the quality of ANC based on pellet functionality, digestibility, and growth performance of perch fed with diets including various levels of ANC (0-20 g/100 g diet) to replace fishmeal protein in a control diet based on a 9-week feeding with three replications per diet. Pellet bulk density, durability, water stability, and oil retention capacity increased with fishmeal replacement. Growth rate, feed conversion ratio, satiation feed intake, and protein retention were similar for fish fed different diets (P>0.05). Fish fed ANC-20 had lower ash, phosphorus, calcium, and manganese than those fed ANC-0 (P