The present study aimed to determine if betaine can function as a feeding stimulant or feed enhancer for the juvenile grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus through a behavioural experiment with video recording. Agar gel pellet was used as the medium to deliver the chemical test substances-betaine (BET), amino acids mixture (AAM) and

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A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of replacing fishmeal (FM) with tempeh (TMP) in the diets for juvenile tiger grouper (TG), Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. Five isoproteic (50%) and isolipidic (16%) diets containing FM replaced by TMP at 0, 30, 40, 50% (namely TMP0, TMP30, TMP40, TMP50, respectively), and by 30% soybean meal supplemented with phytase (SBM30) were fed to triplicate group of fish (10.09±0.15g). Weight gain (WG) and feed intake (FI) of TMP0 group were significantly higher (201.42% and 1 g fish -1 day -1 , respectively) than those fed with TMP-based diets and SBM30 (P< 0.05). On the other hand, fish fed with TMP40 attained highest WG (165.55%) among all groups fed with TMP-based diets. Despite the poorer WG and FI, TMP40 and TMP50 groups resulted in better feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilization (NPU) (P< 0.05) than other diets. Moderate soybean-induced distal intestine enteritis was observed in all fish fed with diets containing soy protein but signs of inflammation became increased as TMP inclusion level increased. The current findings indicated that TMP could be used as a potential alternative protein source in the diet of TG, preferably with addition of essential amino acids and feed stimulants. 0,30,40, TMP30, TMP40, TMP50) ABSTRAK Satu percubaan pemakanan selama 56 hari telah dijalankan untuk menilai potensi penggunaan tempeh (TMP) sebagai pengganti tepung ikan (FM) dalam diet juvenil kerapu harimau (TG), Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. Lima diet (masing-masing mengandungi 50% protein dan 16% lemak) telah dirumuskan untuk menggantikan FM dalam diet pada aras

The pond culture of spotted barb (Puntius binotatus) has been started in Sabah. However, the nutritional values of these cultured P. binotatus as a protein source for human consumption have never been assessed. Therefore, the proximate and amino acid compositions of these cultured P. binotatus (n = 6, 3 females and 3 males) were evaluated to provide baseline information on its nutritional quality. The fish whole body contained about 18% and 9% of crude protein and lipid, respectively (in wet weight basis), 11% ash and 67% moisture. These proximate values were comparable to the wild-caught P. binotatus as reported in previous study. In addition, the cultured P. binotatus contained high levels of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine, (approximately 37.4, 24.5, and 23.0 mg/ g of sample, respectively). It also contained high level of lysine (23.5 mg/ g of sample) which is an essential amino acid in human diet. In conclusion, the nutritional quality of the cultured P. binotatus is good hence it is a suitable protein source for human consumption.

Marine aquaculture sites at Kukup Strait in the peninsula of Malaysia are experiencing a decline in water quality in the last five years, resulting in high mortality rates (50 - 80%), seasonal massive fish mortalities and poor profitability. Currently, Kukup farmers are involved in intensive aquaculture within the existing aquaculture zone. This study explores the sustainability of a modern mariculture method, where fish farms are relocated to deeper waters with higher flushing rates, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are used to improve water quality. Several site selection criteria are utilised in identifying the proposed aquaculture industrial zone: 1) bathymetry depth (operational requirement: 10 m to 30 m), 2) located within the Kukup Port Limit, 3) does not interfere with the Kukup ferry navigation route, and 4) distance from Kukup mainland. Site feasibility analysis, including hydrodynamics, meteorology, water quality, sediment quality and macrobenthos assessment, was conducted to compare the proposed and existing aquaculture sites. It was found that the water quality at the existing site contained higher concentrations of fecal coliform and nutrients and salinity fluctuations. Tropical finfish can survive under these conditions with poorer fish health and higher fish mortality. Apart from that, the flushing capacity is higher in the proposed site, indicating the capacity to handle moderate-intensity aquaculture. Moderate-intensity aquaculture using HDPE cages could be profitable for the local fish farmers. Therefore, it is suggested that other locations within Kukup Straits with deeper waters (&gt; 25 m) with possibly improved water quality and the ability for intensive aquaculture production should be explored for a larger depth and economics of scale.