Fish Maintenance
The present study was performed at the aquatic physiology laboratory of
the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon (August 2020- October
2020). Animal welfare and use protocols were approved by the IRB at the
university. Data can be obtained from the author upon demand. Nile
tilapia used in the present experiment were spawned in outdoor 1
m3 circular tanks in a recirculation aquaculture
system. Swim-up fry were collected, stocked in 180-L fiberglass tanks of
a recirculation system, and sex-reversed using α- methyl testosterone in
the feed. Sex-reversed fry were then transferred to the outdoors
recirculation system and offered a 40% crude protein, 6% lipid
commercial feed (Rangen Inc., Buhl, Idaho, USA) twice daily to apparent
satiation, until used in the experiment.