Effects of different dietary of protein and lipid levels on the growth of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium carcinus) broodstock

Objective. Evaluate the effects of varying dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth and body composition of adult freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus 1758), in a recirculation system for 11 weeks (77 days). Materials and methods. The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate. Six test diets were formulated with three different protein levels (35, 40 and 45%) and two lipid levels (8 and 13%). Results. The highest survival rate, growth indices and feed utilization were observed for M. carcinus adults fed protein:lipid diets of 35:13, 40:13 and 45:13, and the lowest values for these parameters were recorded for prawns fed diets with the lowest lipid levels; the differences in these parameters between these types of diets were significant (p