Chemical analysis
Feed was analyzed for chemical composition: moisture, crude
protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen free extracts
(NFE) and gross energy, according to AOAC (2000) methods. Loss on
drying was used to determine moisture content; protein (N × 6.25)
was determined by Kjeldahl method; lipid was determined by
Soxhlet method; crude fiber was determined by acid and base
hydrolysis; and gross energy was determined by bomb calorimeter.
Carbohydrate-NFE = 100 − (CP + CL + CF). Fish samples collected
at the beginning and end of the experiment were also analyzed for
moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash and nitrogen free
extracts. Proximate analyses for the three diets plus the marine
trash fish control are given in Table 3.