Plant protein sources in the diets of the sciaenids red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and shortfin corvina (Cynoscion parvipinnis): A comparative study

Two parallel feeding trials were conducted to determine the responses of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus, initially weighing 4.7±0.3g) and shortfin corvina (Cynoscion parvipinnis, initially weighing 8.6±1.0g) to increasing dietary percentages of non-genetically modified soybean meal (SBM-3010), soybean protein concentrate (Soy-PC) and corn protein concentrate (Corn-PC) as replacements for menhaden fishmeal. A basal diet contained (dry-matter basis) 40% crude protein from menhaden fishmeal and 10% crude fat primarily from menhaden fish oil. Then, nine diets were formulated by replacing 25%, 50% and 75% of protein in the basal diet with SBM-3010, Soy-PC and Corn-PC, while adding crystalline supplements of lysine, methionine, taurine, and glycine. After 7weeks of culture for red drum and 8weeks for shortfin corvina, treatment mean final weights ranged from 28.8 to 40.7g and from 35.2 to 51.6g, respectively. Significant (P<0.05) differences were detected across all growth performance and feed utilization parameters for both red drum and shortfin corvina. When supplemented with amino acids, SBM-3010 and Soy-PC can replace up to 75% of menhaden fishmeal protein, and that Corn-PC can successfully replace up to 50% of fishmeal protein without compromising the performance of red drum. Likewise, for juvenile shortfin corvina, Soy-PC and Corn-PC can replace up to 75% of fishmeal protein in the diet, while SBM-3010 successfully replaced up to 50% of fishmeal protein without compromising fish performance. The whole-body proximate composition was significantly influenced by the dietary treatments in shortfin corvina, but not in red drum.The present manuscript provided an excellent opportunity to conduct comparative nutrition research and advance the development of more sustainable diets for the aquaculture of sciaenid species. For red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, it was observed that Soybean meal (SBM) and soybean protein concentrate (Soy-PC) can replace up to 75% of fishmeal protein in the diet; while corn protein concentrate (Corn-PC) can successfully replace up to 50% of fishmeal protein, without compromising fish growth performance. For shortfin corvina, Cynoscion parvipinnis, Soy-PC and Corn-PC can replace up to 75% of fishmeal protein in the diet, while SBM successfully replaced up to 50% of fishmeal protein.