Effects of dietary protein level on growth performance, nitrogen and energy budget of juvenile hybrid sturgeon, Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. gueldenstaedtii ♂

► The optimal dietary protein level of juvenile hybrid sturgeon was 340 to 370 g kg− 1. ► Nitrogen and energy budget equation of the fish was established. ► High protein diets resulted in inferior growth performance of the fish. ► High protein diets for the fish farm should be carefully evaluated.