Dietary Pantothenic Acid Requirement of the Blue Tilapia

Abstract

Abstract The minimum dietary requirement of the blue tilapia (Tilapia aurea) for pantothenic acid was determined. Five semipurified diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg calcium D-pantothenate per kilogram of diet were evaluated. Fish fed unsupplemented diets showed significantly poorer (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (fish weight gained/dry weight fed), and survival after 12 weeks than fish that received the vitamin. Deficiency signs included exudated gills, fusion of gill filaments and lamellae, and severe fin erosion. Deficient fish recovered completely when fed a diet supplemented with 40 mg calcium D-pantothenate/kg. The minimum pantothenic acid requirement was estimated at 6 mg/kg based on growth. However, based on survival and lack of pathology, a level of 10 mg/kg of diet is recommended.