Leandro Santos Costa

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of liquid delactosed permeate (DLP) alone or mixed as baby feed with a conventional lactose-containing diet for nursery piglets on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), blood profile, gastrointestinal tract traits, and bacterial population counts. Ninety male hybrid piglets (7.59±0.63 kg) weaned at 25 days old (day 0) were assigned for 35 days in a complete block design based on body weight (BW) to one of three treatments: control diet [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the effects of liquid delactosed permeate (DLP) alone or mixed as baby feed with a conventional lactose-containing diet for nursery piglets on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), blood profile, gastrointestinal tract traits, and bacterial population counts. Ninety male hybrid piglets (7.59±0.63 kg) weaned at 25 days old (day 0) were assigned for 35 days in a complete block design based on body weight (BW) to one of three treatments: control diet

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two protein sources (black soldier fly [Hermetia illucens] meal [BSFM] vs. fish meal [FM]) on intake target “diet preference” in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by a self‐feeding method (trial 1). Growth, body composition, blood parameters, and immunity genes expression were also evaluated to be correlated with behavioral data (trial 2). Four experimental diets were prepared containing 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% BSFM as a substitute for FM protein, which were considered treatments T0 (control), T33, T66, and T100, respectively. In trial 1 (32 days), 60 juveniles (77.97 ± 8.5 g, standard error of the mean [SEM]) were randomly distributed in 60 aquariums (40 L). Fish were challenged to select among A, T0 vs. T33; B, T0 vs. T66; C, T0 vs. T100; D, T33 vs. T66; E, T33 vs. T100; and F, T66 vs. T100 using two floating food halls per aquarium to provide different diets. In trial 2, 240 juveniles (2.80 ± 0.25 g) were distributed in 16 tanks (40 L). The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments (T0, T33, T66, and T100) and four replies. Fish were fed (5% body weight [BW]) experimental diets for 2 months. For the trial 1 results, no difference was observed in A, T0 vs. T33 (p > 0.05). Fish were allowed to select conditions B, C, D, E, and F and preferred the diets containing no or low BSFM content: B = T0, C = T0, D = T33, E = T33, and F = T66 (p < 0.05). In trial 2, final weight and daily weight gain had lower values when animals were fed 100% FM replacement with BSFM (p < 0.05). The fish fed T0 showed lower viscerosomatic indices (p < 0.05). Moisture and total protein were higher in the fish fed T0, but protein content did not differ from T33 (p > 0.05). Ethereal extract increased with rising BSFM (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in glucose, creatinine, total protein, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) (p > 0.05). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and albumin lowered in fish when increase dietary BSFM (p < 0.05). gpx, il-8, il-10, tnf-α, sod, cat, tlr-1, myd, and nf-κb did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). However, il‐1β expression increased in T0 and T100 (p < 0.05). Diets with up to 66% BSFM did not affect performance of juvenile tilapia. However, fish showed a preference for diet containing 33% BSFM.

The study evaluated the feeding behaviour ofPhractocephalus hemioliopterusthrough the animals' ability to adapt to the self‐feeding system, their preferred feeding times and locomotor activity, as well as the blood biochemistry of juveniles fed in a light/dark cycle. The study was carried out through two experiments, the first of which contained two phases. In experiment 1 – phase I, 24 juveniles (35.28 ± 0.62 g) were distributed in eight 48 l tanks. The tanks were equipped with a self‐feeding system and the experiment consisted of evaluating whether the animals were able to adapt to the self‐feeding system, as well as evaluating the preferred feeding times and locomotor activity of these animals. A feeding challenge to the animals was introduced in phase II, based on the results of phase I. The results of the first phase evidenced a nocturnal feeding preference. Thus, the feeding challenge consisted of measuring whether the animal would feed during the day and how long it would take to adapt. When the animals consumed 100% of the amount of feed provided daily, phase II was ended. In experiment 2, 24 juveniles ofP.hemioliopterus(182.00 ± 14.03 g) were distributed in eight 96 l tanks. This experiment consisted of two treatments with four repetitions, one with exclusive feeding during the middle of the light cycle and another with exclusive feeding in the middle of the dark cycle. At the end, blood samples were collected from the animals for blood biochemistry evaluations. In experiment 1 – phase I, the results showed that the fish adapted very well to the self‐feeding system and had a strictly nocturnal feeding behaviour and locomotor rhythm. When they were submitted to the feeding challenge in phase II, the feed intake was stabilized from the 17th day onwards, proportionally to the nocturnal consumption observed in the first phase, thus demonstrating feeding plasticity. In experiment 2, the feeding times influenced the animals' biochemical parameters. Animals fed during the night had higher values of cholesterol and triglycerides than animals fed during the day. It is concluded thatP.hemioliopterushas fast adaptability to a self‐feeding system, with strictly nocturnal feeding and locomotor behaviours. However, it has feeding plasticity, adapting its behaviour according to food availability. Blood biochemical parameters are influenced by the light/dark feeding cycle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feeding activity and the rhythm of daily locomotor activity of the convict cichlid (Amatitlania sp.) kept in different social groups under a self‐feeding system. A total of 120 animals was distributed among six repetitions of four social groups, as follows: group 1 with one male and one female per tank; group 2 with three males and three females per tank; group 3 with six males per tank; and group 4 with six females per tank. Feeding activity (FA) and locomotor activity (LA) were evaluated using photoelectric presence‐sensors connected to automatic feeders. The fish were fed a commercial extruded diet (46% crude protein and 3600 kcal kg⁻¹ of digestible energy). Animal growth was evaluated for all groups. After 30 days of experimentation, the fish stabilized their demands by adjusting their consumption. Amatitlania sp. showed predominantly diurnal FA and LA. All groups showed a peak of activity when the light was turned on and when it was turned off. In summary, FA and LA of Amatitlania sp. are predominantly diurnal and independent of social group. Pairs and groups of males and females together consume less food in relation to groups of one sex or the other due to reproductive behaviour. On the other hand, groups of only males or females consume more food because they lack reproductive stimuli and thus prioritize growth. These results may support good feeding management practices for this ornamental cichlid. Studies relating feeding behaviour with different social groups are of great importance for determining effective feeding strategies for this species in captivity. Thus, such a study assists in a more efficient production of Amatitlania sp.