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Purified and semipurified diets yielding good growth and survival of lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been developed. Growth of animals fed the semipurified diet for 18 months at 20±1°C indicates that market size (.5 kg) could be attained within 2.5 years. The semipurified diet contains 53% (dry weight) protein using casein, shrimp meal, gluten, and egg white as different protein sources. Substitution of these particular sources of protein with soy protein, shrimp protein, a soy protein‐shrimp meal combination, or bacterial cell protein caused significant reductions in growth. Similar growth can be achieved when the protein level of the semipurified diet is reduced to 30.5%. It appears that if specific protein and energy requirements are met, diets containing low protein levels can be nutritionally adequate for optimal growth, thereby increasing the possibility of cost‐effective diets for intensive lobster culture.

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