Page 164 - 《水产学报》2025年第10期

谭海月，等 水产学报, 2025, 49(10): 109611

Optimal starch supplementation level in diets for
juvenile mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

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TAN Haiyue , LIU Xifeng , LUO Li , HUANG Zheng , ZHAO Min , ZHAI Xuliang ,
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XUE Yang , CHEN Yongjun 1*
1. College of Fisheries, Southwest University; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of
Education), Western (Chongqing) Science City Germplasm Creation and Innovation Center, Chongqing 400715, China;
2. Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266061, China;
3. Chongqing Fisheries Technology Extension Station, Chongqing 400400, China
Abstract: Mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi, is an economically important cultured species in China, yet its nutritional require-
ments remain insufficiently studied. To determine the optimal dietary starch level for all-female mandarin fish (Dinggui Ⅰ)
juveniles, an 8-week feeding trial assessed the effects of graded starch inclusion on growth performance, serum biochemistry,
liver histology, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and glucose metabolism. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets were formu-
lated with 7%, 10%, 13%, 16% and 19% cassava starch (S7-S19) and fed to quadruplicate groups of juveniles [initial body
wight, (37.8 ± 1.2) g, 12 fish per tank]. With increasing dietary starch levels, the growth performance (final body weight, spe-
cific growth rate, and weight gain rate) of S. chuatsi was significantly improved with 13% starch, and then levelled off. Com-
pared with the S7 fish, whole-body lipid level was significantly increased in the S13 fish, while liver lipid level was markedly
increased in the other treatments. Increased blood glucose along with higher serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine
aminotransferase activities were recorded when dietary starch exceeded 13%. Concurrently, intensified vacuolation with nuc-
lear aggregation and even karyolysis were associated in the liver of S. chuatsi fed with over 13% dietary starch. Compared to
the S7 fish, hepatic reduced glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the S16 and S19 fish, while total antioxid-
ant capacity was markedly reduced in the S19 fish. The relative expression of glucose transporter 2 (glut2) in the liver was sig-
nificantly down-regulated in the other treatments compared with the S7 fish. The mRNA level of g6pca1 in the liver was signi-
ficantly higher in the S13 and S16 fish than in the S7 fish. Based on comprehensive evaluations of growth performance, feed
utilization, liver health, and hepatic glucose metabolism, it is recommended that the starch level should be lower than 13% in
the diet for S. chuatsi. These results provide key guidance for carbohydrates use in mandarin-fish feeds.
Key words: Siniperca chuatsi; starch; optimal supplementation level; growth performance; liver health; glucose metabolism

Corresponding author: CHEN Yongjun. E-mail: chenyjcq@swu.edu.cn
Funding projects: Chongqing Fishery Technology Innovation Union Project (CQFTIU202204); Chongqing Ecological Fish-
ery Industry Technology System Project (2022); New Hope Liuhe Technology Innovation Co., Ltd. Project

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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