Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)

Yellow perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>), a native species of the Great Lakes, has experienced a significant decline in wild harvest since the 1990s, leading to an increased reliance on aquaculture. This study aimed to optimize feeding rate for yellow perch by evaluating the effects of var...

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Main Authors: Shao-Wei Zhai, Xing Lu, Song Yang, Fred P. Binkowski, Dong-Fang Deng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1465
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author Shao-Wei Zhai
Xing Lu
Song Yang
Fred P. Binkowski
Dong-Fang Deng
author_facet Shao-Wei Zhai
Xing Lu
Song Yang
Fred P. Binkowski
Dong-Fang Deng
author_sort Shao-Wei Zhai
collection DOAJ
description Yellow perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>), a native species of the Great Lakes, has experienced a significant decline in wild harvest since the 1990s, leading to an increased reliance on aquaculture. This study aimed to optimize feeding rate for yellow perch by evaluating the effects of various feeding rates (1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, 6.0%, and 7.5% body weight (BW)/day) on growth, nutrient retention, and heat shock protein 70 expression in perch fingerlings (initial BW: 1.73 ± 0.11 g) over a four-week period. Following the feeding trial, an acute heat shock was induced by raising the water temperature from 23 °C to 31 °C, followed by an 18 h recovery period. Results indicated that both growth rate and whole fish lipid content increased with higher feeding rates (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while nutrient retention decreased. Growth and energy retention did not significantly improve beyond 4.5%, with maximum energy retention observed at 3.9% BW/day. Heat shock protein 70 expression was highest in liver tissue at a feeding rate of 6.2% BW/day, indicating that higher feeding levels may enhance thermal stress response. These results indicate that a feeding rate of 4.5% BW/day supports optimal growth, while 6.2% BW/day may be necessary to improve heat shock tolerance. The study provides practical insights for refining feeding strategies in yellow perch aquaculture.
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spelling doaj-art-5a6e60a0370d4010a655b71b79a3f8832025-08-20T01:56:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-05-011510146510.3390/ani15101465Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)Shao-Wei Zhai0Xing Lu1Song Yang2Fred P. Binkowski3Dong-Fang Deng4School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USASchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USASchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USASchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USASchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USAYellow perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>), a native species of the Great Lakes, has experienced a significant decline in wild harvest since the 1990s, leading to an increased reliance on aquaculture. This study aimed to optimize feeding rate for yellow perch by evaluating the effects of various feeding rates (1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, 6.0%, and 7.5% body weight (BW)/day) on growth, nutrient retention, and heat shock protein 70 expression in perch fingerlings (initial BW: 1.73 ± 0.11 g) over a four-week period. Following the feeding trial, an acute heat shock was induced by raising the water temperature from 23 °C to 31 °C, followed by an 18 h recovery period. Results indicated that both growth rate and whole fish lipid content increased with higher feeding rates (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while nutrient retention decreased. Growth and energy retention did not significantly improve beyond 4.5%, with maximum energy retention observed at 3.9% BW/day. Heat shock protein 70 expression was highest in liver tissue at a feeding rate of 6.2% BW/day, indicating that higher feeding levels may enhance thermal stress response. These results indicate that a feeding rate of 4.5% BW/day supports optimal growth, while 6.2% BW/day may be necessary to improve heat shock tolerance. The study provides practical insights for refining feeding strategies in yellow perch aquaculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1465feeding rategrowthHSP70nutrient retentionyellow perch
spellingShingle Shao-Wei Zhai
Xing Lu
Song Yang
Fred P. Binkowski
Dong-Fang Deng
Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
Animals
feeding rate
growth
HSP70
nutrient retention
yellow perch
title Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
title_full Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
title_fullStr Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
title_short Optimal Feeding Rates for Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, and Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Fingerling Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>)
title_sort optimal feeding rates for growth performance nutrient retention and heat shock protein 70 expression in fingerling yellow perch i perca flavescens i
topic feeding rate
growth
HSP70
nutrient retention
yellow perch
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1465
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