Effects of three species of macroalgae on growth performance, physiology and biochemistry index of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

The experiment was to investigate the effects of three species of macroalgae on the growth performance, physiology and biochemistry index of juvenile largemouth bass. A total of 360 juvenile largemouth bass with an initial body weight of (6.04±0.03) g were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates per group and 30 perca per replicate. Group C (Control Group) was fed a basic diet, while Groups T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basic diet supplemented with 5% Gracilaria lemaneiformis powder, 5% Asparagopsis taxiformis powder, and 5% Sargassum powder, respectively, with each group's diet being isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The experiment lasted for 57 days. The results showed that compared to Group C, the feed intake rate and feed coefficient of all experimental groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the protein deposition rate and fat deposition rate of Groups T2 and T3 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The whole fish moisture content of Groups T2 and T3 was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the crude protein and crude fat concentrations were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The crude fat content in the liver of Groups T2 and T3 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study shows that the diet with 5% Gracilaria lemaneiformis powder, Asparagopsis taxiformis powder, and Sargassum powder respectively does not affect the growth of juvenile largemouth bass, but can improve its feeding rate and reduce the crude fat of the whole body and liver, and overall effect of juvenile largemouth bass supplemented with Sargassum powder feed is the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]