Effect of mixed protein schedules combined with choline and betaine on the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Reducing feed cost has been a major issue in fish nutrition. Mixed protein schedules have been proposed as one of the methods successfully tested in many fish species to reduce feed cost. Meanwhile, the effect of dietary choline and betaine supplementation on fish performance was assessed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of mixed protein schedules, combined with choline and betaine, on Nile tilapia performance. This experiment was conducted in a (4 x 3) factorial arrangement of treatments. Four mixed protein schedules were examined, in the presence of choline 0.3% and/or betaine 0.5%. The four mixed protein schedules were achieved by alternating diet (A; 31%CP) and diet (B; 24%CP) as follows: (6 days-A), (5 days-A/1 day-B), (4 days-A/2 days-B) and (3 days-A/3 days-B). The results indicated that in the presence of betaine 0.5% and choline 0.3%, the optimal mixed protein schedule for tilapia was (3A/3B). Fish fed on the 4A/2B or 3A/3B schedules utilized protein more efficiently than fish fed on the (6A) schedule. Fish fed diets supplemented with betaine (b) only showed the highest energy retention. The lowest feed cost was recorded for fish fed on (3A/3B) in the presence of betaine 0.5% and choline 0.3% in fish diet.