Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of berberine on the growth performance and nutritional status of Micropterus salmoides, and seek solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts caused by high-starch diets.

Methods The study formulated five groups of experimental diets by supplementing high-starch diets with 0 (the control group), 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg of berberine, respectively. Juvenile M. salmoides (1.49+0.02) g per fish were randomly divided into five groups, with three replicate glass aquaria per group and 50 fish per aquarium. The experimental fish were fed the five diets separately for eight weeks, with two feedings per day.

Results Compared with the control group, the group of berberine at concentrations of 50−100 mg/kg significantly improved the weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver, activities of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (AT), glutathione (GSH) content in the liver, and muscle protein content of M. salmoides. Additionally, it reduced the feed conversion ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver, and muscle fat content. However, the group of berberine at concentrations of 150−200 mg/kg did not further enhance the growth performance and liver antioxidant capacity of the fish.

Conclusion Therefore, it can be concluded that berberine can alleviate the reduction in growth performance and liver oxidative stress induced by high-starch diets in juvenile M. salmoides, thereby improving their nutritional status.