| Summary: | As fish feeds are increasingly being formulated with a variety of protein sources, more attention needs to be paidto ensure that the essential amino acids (EAAs) requirements of the fish are met adequately. A novel factorial AArequirement model was developed by incorporating the effects of dietary and biological factors on AA re-quirement and utilization for two salmonid fish species, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. The factorial modeldetermines AA requirement of fish based on species, expected body weight gain, body protein deposition, AAprofile in body protein deposition, maintenance AA requirement, and inevitable AA metabolism. Simulationsusing this novel model suggest that EAA requirement (expressed as % diet dry matter DM) progressively de-creases when the live weight of the fish increases. Atlantic salmon appears to have higher EAA requirements(estimated as % diet DM) than rainbow trout at the same body weight classes, and the rate of decrease in EAArequirement with the increase of body weight appears to be slower in Atlantic salmon. Model simulations alsosuggest that diet composition influences the estimates of EAA requirements. The novel factorial model could be ahelpful tool in formulating cost-effective aquaculture feeds. This modelling approach can be adapted to otherfish species
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