Application of feed enriched with humic additive from peat and dry garlic powder when growing juvenile Siberian sturgeon on an industrial line of cage aquaculture

Abstract

Cage aquaculture, used in modern industrial sturgeon farming, differ from recirculating water supply systems (RAS) by more natural habitat conditions of fish growing, which are optimal for broodstocks development and maintaining and producing fish seeding material and is more economical. The dominant species for sturgeon aquaculture in Russia and throughout the world is Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869, adapted to extreme temperature conditions. When this fish was grown at industrial cage aquaculture enterprises in the European North of Russia under natural conditions, the survival rate of the objects was 99%; growth rates exceeded those of sterlet, Russian sturgeon and F1 hybrids of Russian and Siberian sturgeon; the feed ratio was better compared to fish kept in cages in the Southern Federal District. Seven-year-old sturgeons reared in cages under such conditions had a maximum live weight of more than 8 kg, their physiological parameters were better than those of objects kept in a RAS; indices of reproductive system corresponded to the normal values. To increase the efficiency of keeping Siberian sturgeon in cage aquaculture in the extreme conditions of the Northern regions, feed enriched with multifunctional biologically active compounds of natural origin is used. In this production experiment, the basic forage included the feed additive Humiton of peat humic compounds origin at a dose of 25 ml/kg and/or dried garlic powder at a dose of 30 g/kg; both components previously have shown effectiveness in growing juvenile Siberian sturgeon under RAS conditions. In the experiment, all additives showed activity in all assessed indicators, but the greatest effect was observed when using garlic powder or its combination with Humiton additive. The effectiveness of additives is due to adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects, the ability to favorably influence the function of the digestive system and improve the absorption of feed nutrients.