Effect of dietary protein level on growth performance of South African abalone, Haliotis midae, fed fishmeal-based semi-purified diets

Starch-bound, semi-purified diets, using fishmeal as a protein source, were formulated to contain 27, 32, 37, 42 and 47% protein and fed to juvenile Haliotis midae. Weight gain was positively related to the level of dietary protein, increasing by 18% between 27% and 47% protein. Protein efficiency ratio was negatively related, declining from 3.2 to 2.3, Feed consumption rate was approximately 1% of body weight per day for all diets. However, accurate definition of an optimal level of protein in formulated diets for abalone will only be possible once optimum dietary energy/protein ratios have been determined.