If warmwater finfish protein requirements as level in diet is low, absolute intake per day is similar to those of coldwater species. But relation of this requirement with specific growth rate differs for strictly warmwater fishes as Tilapias. Analysis of partition between protein and non-protein energy retention shows that these species with Clarias make a better use of non-protein energy provided and consequently improve their protein retention. Better carbohydrate digestibility and metabolism are propounded as part of the explanation.