Optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial of three protein (200, 300 and 400 g kg−1) and two lipid levels (20 and 100 g kg−1) was conducted to determine the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Dietary protein and lipid levels were adjusted by adding with different levels of soybean meal, squid liver oil and soybean oil, respectively. Three replicate groups of sea cucumbers (average weight of 1.3 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, survival was not affected by dietary protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers were significantly affected by dietary protein (P < 0.006) and lipid levels (P < 0.001). The highest WG and SGR were observed in sea cucumbers fed the 200 and 400 g kg−1 protein diet with 20 g kg−1 lipid (P < 0.05). WG and SGR of sea cucumbers fed the diet containing 20 g kg−1 lipid were higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the 100 g kg−1 lipid diets (P < 0.05) at each dietary protein level. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of sea cucumbers fed the 20 g kg−1 lipid diets were significantly higher than those of the 100 g kg−1 lipid diets at 200 and 400 g kg−1 protein (P < 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the diet containing 200 g kg−1 protein (170 g kg−1 digestible protein) with 20 g kg−1 lipid (13 g kg−1 digestible lipid) may be sufficient for optimum growth of juvenile sea cucumber.