Benakappa S., Varghese T.J., 2003. Isoleucine, leucine, and valine requirement of juvenile Indian major carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795). Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 33 (2): 161-172.Background. Mrigal, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795)(junior synonym C. mrigala), is one of the most widely cultured Indian major carps. The main aim of this study was to quantify the dietary isoleucine, leucine, and valine requirements of mrigal juveniles. Material and methods. Growth studies were conducted with juvenile mrigal to determine the minimal requirements for the branched-chain amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, and valine. The experimental diets were formulated from purified ingredients to contain 40% crude protein. Casein and gelatin served as protein sources and were supplemented with crystalline L -amino acids to provide an amino acid pattern found in mrigal muscle protein. The amino acids for which the requirements were being determined was were supplemented at varying levels. Dietary inclusion levels for isoleucine ranged from 0.88 to 1.45%, for leucine from 1.36 to 2.05%, and for valine from 1.23 to 1.75%. Results. The optimum dietary requirements for isoleucine, leucine, and valine for mrigal, estimated using break point analysis were 1.25%, 1.73%, and 1.55% of dry diet, respectively. These values correspond to 3.12% isoleucine, 4.33% leucine, and 3.87% valine when expressed as a percentage of dietary protein. Food conversion rate, specific growth rate, and survival were better in treatments with diets containing 1.25% for isoleucine, 1.73% for leucine, and 1.55% for valine. Conclusion. :Results of this study clearly demonstrated that Cirrhinus cirrhosus could utilize free amino acids for growth. Further, the findings would be useful in formulating isoleucine, leucine, and valine balanced diets in controlled production of mrigal.

The spawning periodicity of Photopectoralis bindus (Valenciennes, 1835) was studied off Mangaluru coast from September 2015 to April 2016 using 490 specimens with total length 6.8-12.3 cm (9.6±0.9 cm) and body weight 4.6 -30.28 g (14.20±3.59 g). Results indicated that the average sizes at maturity were 9.3 cm (males) and 9.5 cm (females). The male-female ratio was 1:0.72. Absolute fecundity estimated was 9349±853 eggs that increased with fish size (R2 = 0.92). Higher gonado-somatic index (GSI) was observed in post-monsoon season with peak value in December (female: 3.39±1.00%; male: 2.84±0.796%) indicating seasonal spawning of the fish.

Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii is one of the commercially important inshore squid resources off the south-west coast of India. Length-weight relationship for this species indicated no significant difference between the sexes and hence, the relationship for both the sexes was represented with the common equation W = 0.4624 L2.1158. U. (P.) duvaucelii spawned throughout the year with peak spawning in May. Absolute fecundity ranged from 1,545 to 13,585 eggs with an average of 7,554 eggs. Size at first maturity indicated that females matured earlier at 70 mm DML (dorsal mantle length) whereas males matured little later at 90 mm DML. Males were observed to be dominant during most of the study period with overall male to female ratio of 1:0.93. Seasonal and size dependent variations in sex ratio were distinct.

Quantification of the essential amino acid requirements of a species is required for formulating optimal diets for cultivated fish. In this study, crystalline L-phenylalanine was used to determine the quantitative phenylalanine requirement of juvenile Cirrhinus mrigala. Test diets (40% crude protein) contained vitamin-free casein and gelatin supplemented with crystalline L-amino acids to provide an amino acid profile similar to C. mrigala muscle protein except for phenylalanine. Diets containing six graded levels of L-phenylalanine (0.80, 1.10,1.40, 1.70, 2.00 and 2.30%) and a fixed level of tyrosine (0.52%) were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of C. mrigala juveniles twice a day at a rate of 10% of the fish body weight per day for 56 days. The optimum dietary requirement for phenylalanine, estimated by breakpoint regression analysis, was 1.75% of the diet (4.38% of the dietary protein) or 2.27% of the total aromatic amino acid (5.68% of the dietary protein). Beyond the optimum level, phenylalanine significantly depressed growth. The best feed efficiency, specific growth rate and survival were obtained with the diet containing close to the optimum level of aromatic amino acid.

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