Dietary available phosphorus requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum concentration of dietary available phosphorus (P) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (5.59 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (2.36, 4.27, 6.31, 8.36, 10.4 and 14.8 g kg−1) of available P for 8 weeks. Grass carp fed with the P-supplemented diets had significantly higher specific growth rate, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency than fish fed with the basal diet. In whole-body composition, protein content increased, while lipid content decreased with the increase in P level in diet (P < 0.05). Fish fed with the P-supplemented diets had significantly higher whole body, vertebrae and scales mineralization (P < 0.05), but Ca/P ratios were not influenced. The blood chemistry analysis showed that dietary available P had distinct effects on P, Ca and Mg contents, as well as on the contents of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol. Broken-line analysis indicated that 8.49 g kg−1 dietary available P was required for maximal tissue storage and mineralization as well as optimal growth.