Name: Mishyree C.

Andatuan

1. In fish farming, nutrition is critical because it represents 40-50% of the production cost. As an
aquaculturist, what strategies would you recommend to reduce cost of feeds, maximize growth
and increase profitability
- As an Aquaculturist, firstly I will find a nutritionally balanced feed because it is not a
surprise that farming spends the most money on feed. Although important, the cost
should not be the primary deciding factor when it comes to selecting feed, the
performance must also be considered so I should evaluate the feed performance by
considering multiple characteristics that is both efficient and practical like the feed
efficiency, growth rate, overall quality, digestibility, health and immune support,
reduced medication costs, water quality maintenance. Formulating feeds correctly will
help the farm ensure the best results for both the cultured species and the farm and
also supporting the health of the cultured species like providing feed that offers a good
nutritional balance that will directly impact both the FCR and the overall success of the
farm. Vitamins and minerals should be added to the feed in order to create a
nutritionally balanced and complete diet that will meet basic nutritional requirements of
the cultured species. Secondly, maintaining a proper water quality, when the water
quality is not maintained well it could negatively affect the growth and the performance
of the cultured species and risks for diseases could increase. Thirdly, I should develop a
management program that will support better feeding and biosecurity practices like
reviewing the feeding tables for information on frequency of feedings, feeding rates,
ration, sizes and timings. I should communicate with my team members doing the
technical works to make them aware that both overfeeding and underfeeding can
negatively impact FCR.

2. Discuss the application of nutritional biotechnology in aquaculture?

- Biotechnology in aquaculture allows scientists to identify and combine traits in fish and
shellfishes to increase productivity and improve quality. Aquaculture compared with
livestock or crops production is a novel production system in many developing and
developed countries. Biotechnologies uses that is applied in fisheries management is
very limited in aquaculture. The four main areas where biotechnology is used in
aquaculture includes genetic improvements and control of reproduction, biosecurity
and disease control, environmental managements and bioremediation and lastly
biodiversity conservation and fisheries management.

3. What are the different important considerations in conducting experiment related to fish
nutrition?
- In the area of fish nutrition there are lot of considerations and improvement to be
consider in conducting experiments such as the feed and nutrient deficiency,
overfeeding and waste, fish meal and fish oil replacements, fish health, biotechnology
and human health concerns. Food safety is of upmost importance. therefore, diligence
research and stringent regulations must be required before commercialization of
products.
Laboratory

4. Formulate a diet to contain 30% crude protein using any of the given feedstuff (Use available
literature as reference for the nutrient content of your chosen feedstuff). Use 2 protein sources
and 2 energy sources.

5. Discuss why digestibility test is necessary in doing feed development studies. How do you do it?
You may present the diagram/flow of doing this test. (50 points). Attached one supporting
article for this question.
- Potential nutritive value of feed ingredients can be assessed based on the digestibility of
energy and nutrient components. The digestibility of energy and nutrients in fish has
been evaluated on feces samples collected by different methods including siphoning
and stripping combined with digestible markers (e.g., chromic oxide and titanium oxide)
in the diet.