Noor Khan

Effect of similar feeding regime on growth and body composition of Indian major carps ( Catla catla , Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita ) under mono and polyculture

Growth performance and body composition of yearling Indian major carps (Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita) was evaluated in semi-intensive (mono and polyculture) systems for 90 days. Prior to stocking, all ponds were fertilized with organic and inorganic manures. This application was repeated every two weeks throughout the study period. Supplementary feed containing 35% protein was applied daily at 3% of wet body weight. In trial 1, all the three species gained significantly higher weights with experimental feed (F1) versus control group (F0). There was non-significant difference observed among species. In trial 2, non-significant difference was observed for net weight gain among species and between feeds. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein utilization (PU), gross nitrogen retention efficiency (GNRE%) and gross energy retention efficiency (GERE%) were found non-significantly different among species in both trials, except GNRE% in polyculture, where L. rohita showed significantly higher values than its counterparts. No significant difference was observed in body composition and mineral contents among species and between feeds in both trials. In conclusion, all the three fish species performed well under monoculture system with 35% protein diet and showed significantly higher growth than the control, compared to polyculture, without any significant effect on body composition.

Evaluation of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) supplemented diets on the growth, digestibility and histology of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fingerlings

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of water hyacinth as aquafeed for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish were stocked in eight glass aquaria at 20 fish per aquaria. Three iso-proteinous diets (30% crude protein (CP)) were prepared with the addition of different parts of sun-dried water hyacinth, that is, whole plant meal diet (WPM), leaf meal diet (LM) and root meal diet (RM), along with control diet. Results revealed significant (P ≤ .05) differences in weight gain and length among treatments. Higher weight gain was observed in LM and lower in RM diets. CP contents of fish fed WPM were significantly higher (P ≤ .05), followed by LM than RM and control diets. Crude fat was significantly higher in fish fed RM followed by LM, while ash contents were significantly higher in control. Nutrient digestibility in the case of CP was significantly higher (P ≤ .05) for WPM, LM and control groups than RM, while fat digestibility was significantly higher (P ≤ .05) in RM diet followed by LM than WPM and control. Histological study showed no significant variations in liver and kidney. In conclusion, LM-based diets were found to be most suitable without any adverse effects on the histopathological disorders in experimental fish.

Effect of Selenium Incorporated in Feed on the Hematological Profile of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The present study was aimed at the assessment of potential effect of selenium, supplemented in feed, on the hematological profile of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) while maintaining certain physicochemical parameters of water. Three doses differing merely in selenium contents viz. 2, 4, and 8 mg Se/kg of fish feed were formulated bearing in mind apiece dose as an independent treatment. Four cemented rectangular tanks (triplicated) were used after proper disinfection to ensure sustainable culture environment. 15 fish per tank were stocked after appropriate health examination weights ranging 10-25 g. Variations in different hematological parameters by counting of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin estimation, granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) as well as weight and length gains were recorded and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The results revealed that WBC’s counts were non-significantly (P=0.05) different among treatments 1, 2, 3 as well as in the selenium-deficient treatment. However, the counts of WBC’s, neutrophils, RBC’s and hemoglobin level was enhanced (P=0.05) in treatment-1 (2 mg Se/kg). On the contrary, hemoglobin level, neutrophil and RBC’s counts were significantly dropped (P=0.05) low in treatment-3 (8 mg Se/kg). The WBC’s counts were found lower in treatment-2 (4 mg Se/kg). Lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly higher in treatment-3 (8 mg Se/kg). This study has enlightened that the supplementation of selenium (2 mg/kg) in the feed of tilapia does not alter its inclusive hematological profile but promotes better physiological performance and productivity to enhance fish growth and paves the way towards increased supply of selenium-fortified fish meat.