Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Abstract: The fatty acid composition was determined for 14 feeds commonly available in Turkey for marine fish species, particularly sea bream and sea bass (juvenile, adult, and broodstock). Nine of the juvenile and adult fish feeds and 1 of the broodstock fish feeds were imported. The other feeds were produced in Turkey. The n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) levels in the feeds of juvenile, adult, and broodstock fish were 2.5%-3.9%, 1.5%-3.5%, and 2.1%-4.9% of the dry weight of diets, respectively. Similarly, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels of these feeds were 1.4%-2.3%, 0.5%-1.8%, and 1.2%-3.0% of the dry weight of diets, respectively, and the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels of the dry weight in the diets were 1.1%-1.5%, 1.0%-1.6%, and 0.8%-1.8%, respectively. In addition, the arachidonic acid (ArA) levels in the feeds of juvenile, adult, and broodstock fish were 0.5%-0.9%, 0.5%-0.8%, and 0.6%-0.9% of total fatty acids, respectively. The results showed that the DHA, EPA, or ArA levels and DHA/EPA ratios in the feeds of juvenile or adult sea bass and sea bream were sufficient for good growth and development. The broodstock feeds also had adequate levels of EPA, DHA, or ArA and ratios of ArA/EPA or DHA/EPA for normal reproductive performance of sea bass or sea bream broodstock.

Key Words: Marine fish, commercial feed, fatty acids, n-3 EFA