%0 Journal Article
%T Effects of dietary protein levels and rearing density on growth performance and stress response of Nile tilapia, oreochromis niloticus (L.)
%A Mohsen Abdel-Tawwab
%J International Aquatic Research
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/2008-6970-4-3
%X Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), is one of the most important fish species for aquaculture worldwide. It represents the species of choice due to its high growth rate, significant tolerance to environmental stress, ease of reproduction, and high market demand ([El-Sayed 2006]). For fish intensification, feed quality and rearing density should be considered to optimize their culture condition.Rearing density is an important aspect for fish culture, and it is necessary to find a balance between the maximum profit and the minimum incidence of physiological and behavioral disorders ([Ashley 2007]; [Ayyat et al. 2011]). It has been demonstrated that rearing fish at inappropriate stocking densities may impair the growth and reduce immune competence due to factors such as clustering stress and the deterioration of water quality, which can affect both the feed intake and conversion efficiency of the fish ([Ellis et al. 2002]). However, it is not clear whether the performance of fish is influenced by the stress caused by suboptimal water quality parameters associated with high densities (e.g., low oxygen level, elevated ammonia or carbon dioxide levels) or by the crowding experienced due to high density, which could cause aggressive behavior.Stress in farmed fish is of considerable significance to both welfare and productivity as it has been linked to reduction in growth, abnormal behavior, and immunodepression ([Ashley 2007]; [Wedemeyer 1997]). Particular attention has been paid to stocking density as one of the key factors to influence the perceived level of stress in fish ([Ellis et al. 2002]; Turnbull et al. [2005]).Understanding the protein requirement of Nile tilapia in relation to its rearing density may lead to the coping with the stress caused and enhancing their growth and production. Moreover, assessing the effect of dietary protein levels on the metabolism of this species at different densities is of particular interest. Therefore, the present study was c
%K Nile tilapia
%K Dietary protein
%K Rearing density
%K Growth performance
%K Blood chemistry
%U http://www.intaquares.com/content/4/1/3