Effects of Amino Acid Supplements in Plant-based Yellow Perch Diets

High protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) were tested in combination with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) or soy protein concentrate (SPC), with and without an essential amino acid complex, to assess utility of these plant protein alternatives in Yellow Perch Perca flavescens diets in a 63-d feeding trial. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain equal amounts of HP-DDG and FSBM or SPC, each with and without essential amino acids and compared to a fish meal/HP-DDG reference diet. Fish that received diets containing SPC displayed the greatest weight gain, feed conversion, and apparent protein digestibility. Weight gain was significantly reduced and feed conversion significantly increased in the diet containing FSBM without essential amino acids. No mortalities or health assessment differences were observed during the trial and all treatment fish readily accepted the experimental diets.