An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary protein (35%, 40%, 45%) and lipid (4%, 8%, 12%) levels with protein to energy (P/E) ratios ranging from 17.04 to 23.58 g protein/MJ on growth performance, feed utilization, and biochemical parameters of barbless carp (Cyprinus pellegrini). Fish fed diets with 40% protein exhibited higher thermal growth coefficient (TGC) and energy retention compared with fish fed the diets with 35% protein, higher protein efficiency ratio (PER), and protein retention, compared with fish fed diets with 35% and 45% protein. TGC and energy retention were significantly lower in fish fed the diets with 4% lipid compared to fish fed diets with 8% and 12% lipid. Fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 12% lipid had similar TGC as those fed the diets containing 8% and 12% lipid with 45% protein, but showed relatively better PER. Further, fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 12% lipid exhibited relatively lower plasma γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities, and total protein and blood urea nitrogen contents compared with fish fed the other diets. These results indicate that a diet containing 40% protein and 12% lipid with P/E of 19.38 g protein/MJ would be suitable for growth and health of barbless carp
