Effect of dietary protein level on excretion of ammonia in Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, fingerlings

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protein on nitrogenous excretion in the form of ammonia in Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.), fingerlings (3.0 +/- 0.25 g). Fish were fed to satiation in a metabolism chamber. Approximately isoenergetic diets containing 230, 280, 330 and 380 g kg(-1) protein were used at 28 degrees C. Ammonia-N excretory energy (U) as a percentage of ingested food energy (C) increased with an increase in dietary protein level: from 4.3% in fish fed 230 g kg(-1) to 6.0% in fish fed 380 g kg(-1) dietary protein. The relationship between excretory energy and dietary protein level is modelled.