The different levels of digestible energy on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings were evaluated. One hundred and twenty-five fingerlings averaging initial length and weight of 0.62±0.12 and 3.25±0.25 cm were allotted to 25 30L-aquariums, as a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates (an aquarium with five fingerlings was considered the experimental unit). The diets, formulated to be isonitrogenous (30% of digestible protein), isophosphorous and isocalcium, contained 3,300, 3,525, 3,750, 3,975, and 4,200 kcal/kg of digestible energy. The amount of diet was fed of 10% of biomass four times a day. The abiotic parameters (pH, dissolved oxigen - DO, and electric condutivity - EC) were weekly measured at afternoon and the temperature was was daily mensured. The following values were observed: pH of 7.91±0.19, DO of 8.00±0.05 mg/L, EC of 92.11±2.27 µS/cm, and temperature of 25.61±0.90ºC. At the end of experiment, means of final weight, weight gain, final length, apparent feeding conversion, survival rate and condition factor were analyzed. No significant differences on fingerling perfomance were found across the treatments. It can be included from 2,900 to 3,400 kcal of ED/kg in the diet of Nile tilapia fingerlings.
energy; Oreochromis niloticus; tilapia; performance
