RESEARCH PROGRESS IN NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND FEED OF STURGEONS

Sturgeon is one of most important domestic economic cultured fish species in China. The domestic aquaculture production of sturgeon has been the largest in the world for several years. At present, starter feed for sturgeon larvae are imported from other countries, formulated feed for sturgeon at other stages are produced in China. The quality of domestic feeds was inconsistent, leading to significantly different growth rate and sometimes resulting in decreased disease resistance in sturgeons. Therefore, the latest research on energy, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and alternative proteins, as well as lipid sources and functional additives were reviewed, thereby laying the foundation for further research on nutritional requirements and for formulating nutritionally balanced feed. The optimal requirements for proteins, lysine, methionine, protein-to-energy ratio, lipids, carbohydrates and phosphorus in juvenile sturgeons were 36%—440%, 2.80%, 1.13%, 18—22 mg/kJ, 11.1%—35.7%, 11%—35% and 0.50%—0.87% respectively. Sturgeons can make a good use of animal and plant derived protein sources, plant oils, and some functional additives can promote sturgeon growth and enhance its immune response. In addition, information about requirements of minerals and vitamins is incomplete.