Evaluation of the growth performance of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. fry after adding a powdered mixture of some insects to their diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of isolates of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus 4453 and Bifidobacterium bifidum 5144 on the performance of common carp fingerlings which had initial body weight attained (44±0.69) g. A total of 72 fish were used and randomly divided into 4 treatments with 3 replicates (6 fish per replicate). An experimental diet was prepared with a crude protein attained (29.14%) and gross energy of 396.726 kcal / g. The probiotics were prepared in the form of bacterial suspensions at a dilution of 1*10-6 cfu/ml) and were added to the suspension of 20% Arabic gum and phosphate buffer salt as an enveloping and adhesive material for bacterial cells to increase their stability and survival on feed pellets. The liquid probiotics were added to specified amounts of the experimental diets according to the following treatments (T0 control treatment, T1 Lactobacillus acidophilus 4453, T2 Bifidobacterium bifidum 5144 and T3 Lactobacillus acidophilus 4453 + Bifidobacterium bifidum 5144. Fish performance was assessed after 83 days of the experiment according to weight gain, daily growth rate, relative growth rate, specific growth rate, metabolic growth rate, feed conversion rate, feed conversion efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio. The results of the statistical analysis showed that all the probiotic treatments were significantly exceeding as compared with T0 in the following order T1, T3, T2 of the weight gain, daily growth rate, relative growth rate, specific growth rate, and metabolic growth rate, also its gave the best feed conversion rate and protein efficiency ratio. Therefore, we conclude that the isolates of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus 4453 and Bifidobacterium bifidum 5144 and their dual combination, within the conditions of this study, were highly influential in achieving the best utilization of the food intake and the best performance of common carp fingerlings.

No or little information on the use fresh (wet) housefly maggots (Musca domestica) in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fry feeding. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding on fresh (wet) housefly maggots with or without artificial diet on water quality, growth performance, survival percentage and feed utilization of African catfish fry under laboratory conditions. Housefly maggots produced from a mixture of poultry droppings and foods wastes, it was used to replace artificial feed at 0, 50 and 100% levels. Catfish were fed artificial diet alone (Feed 1), fresh (wet) housefly maggots alone (Feed 2), and 50% fresh housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet (Feed 3) were prepared and tested on triplicate groups of African catfish fry (initial weight of 0.25±0.02 g) for 60 days. Results showed that final weight (g/fish) was significantly highest (P£0.05) in fish fed feed 3 (6.03±0.08), followed by fish fed feed 2 (4.62±0.27), followed by fish fed feed 1 (3.15±0.68). Specific growth rate (%/day) was also significantly highest in fish fed feed 3 (5.31±0.10), followed by fish fed feed 2 (4.86±0.03), followed by fish fed feed 1 (4.18±0.24). The same trend was observed with total weight gain, percentage weight gain, daily growth rate and relative growth rate. Feed intake and protein intake were significantly highest (P£0.05) in fish fed feed 3 and fish fed feed 2, followed by fish fed feed 1. While, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly (P>0.05), but the improvement in FCR recorded in catfish fry fed feed 3 and feed 2 under the experimental conditions. Survival percentage was within the range 55–75%, with insignificant differences (P>0.05) among treatments. The water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were not significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments and were tolerable for fish culture. Accordingly, use of the 50% fresh (wet) housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet in African catfish fry feeding had positive effect on growth performance and reduce of the feed cost.

The current study aims to compare the growth of young grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fed on either artificial diet or alfalfa. The experiment was carried out in the earthen ponds of the Aquaculture Unit in the Agricultural Researches and Experiments Station (College of Agriculture, University of Basrah), which is located in the Al-Hartha district, approximately 16 km north of Basra (300 65' 64.6''N, 470 74' 79.5''E). The experiment begun from 26 July 2019 to 10 December 2019. Six ponds with an area of 600 square meters each were used for treatments. Fish were distributed equally to the culture ponds (600 fish per pond) at average individual weight of 6.3±0.28 g. Fish in artificial diet treatment were fed 5 % of the body weight and in alfalfa treatment 50 % of the body weight. Samples of fish were weighed every twenty days for the purpose of controlling growth parameters subsequently adjusting the daily feed provided based on the new weight. The growth criteria (final weight, weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio) were calculated. Results of the current study showed that the water temperature is the most variable factor, for example, the highest temperature was 27.2oC in July, while the lowest temperature was 18.7oC in December. Results of growth criteria of the current study showed that grass carp in earthen ponds preferred alfalfa rather than the artificial diet, as the final average weight were 97.35, 47.18 g, the weight gain rate were 91.73, 40.75 g fish-1, the daily growth rate were 1.27, 0.42 g day-1, relative growth rate 1707.77, 629.99 %, specific growth rate were 3.92, 2.04 % day-1, feed conversion ratio were 11.75, 2.51and protein efficiency ratio were 1.75, 0.45 for fish fed on alfalfa plant and the artificial diet respectively.

Effect of dietary fish meal replacement by red algae, Gracilaria arcuata, on growth performance and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

Response of common carp fry fed diets containing a pea seed meal ( Pisum sativum) subjected to different thermal processing methods

Diet development and evaluation for juvenile abalone, Haliotis asinina: protein/energy levels

This study evaluated the effect of biofloc technology (BFT) on protein utilization and growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus fry under green house for 14 weeks under a 3 × 2 factorial design involving three crude protein (CP) levels (22, 27 and 35%) and two different carbon sources. Molasses and glucose were independently used as carbon sources in the BFT tanks with aeration using air stones. Mono‐sex fish fry of mean weight 0.07 ± 0.01 g and total length 13.1 ± 0.01 mm were stocked at density of 1 fish per litre. The fishes were fed on the three commercial diets that were randomly assigned in triplicates, with the control treatment being 35% CP. Feeding was done twice daily at 5% body weight, while sludge was siphoned weekly. Calculations of specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), food conversion ratio (FCR), survival and measurement of water quality parameters were also performed. Protein levels and carbon sources had significant effects (p < 0.05) on dissolved oxygen (DO) and NH3 protein levels and carbon sources had significant interaction (p < 0.05) on pH. There was a significantly higher FCR in the control treatment (0.89) than in glucose (0.56–0.57) and molasses (0.59–0.63) bioflocs; furthermore, it was significantly different between the carbon sources. The PER was significantly higher in the control (8.42) than in glucose (5.03–7.99) and molasses (4.81–7.23) bioflocs. No significant interactions (p > 0.05) of protein levels and carbon sources were recorded on PER. However, it was significantly affected (p < 0.05) by protein levels and carbon sources. No significant effects (p > 0.05) of dietary protein level, carbon source, or their interaction were observed on SGR and condition factor. The SGR was significantly lower in the control (2.91) than glucose (3.52–3.59) and molasses (3.49‐3.56) bioflocs. The condition factor was significantly lower in the control (0.81) than glucose (1.72–1.83) and molasses (1.82–1.84) bioflocs. Survival rates were significantly higher in glucose (>97%) and molasses (>94%) than the control with a lower value of 74.7%. The biofloc increased protein utilization efficiency, which improved FCR and enhanced fish growth rate even with a lower dietary protein level. Further studies should evaluate the applicability of BFT in outdoor cultures.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding different levels of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) (Cucurbita pepo L.) on specific growth and immune blood parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Six oil concentrations were tested, representing six treatments: PSO at 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%. All treatments were incorporated into a diet containing 29.14% protein. A total of 147 fish were divided into 21 cages, with three replicates per treatment, averaging 32±0.72 g in weight. The fish were fed at 3% of biomass per day, split into two meals; rations were adjusted biweekly according to measured biomass for 82 days. The 2% PSO treatment showed significantly better results (P<0.05) across all growth parameters studied, including Final Weight (FW), Weight Gain (WG), Daily Growth Rate (DGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Food Intake (FI), Metabolic Growth Rate (MGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE), and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER). Followed by the PSO 1.5% treatment. In blood parameters, PSO 2% also performed best in all measured aspects—Red Blood Cells (RBCs), Hemoglobin (Hp), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)—with 1.5% PSO closely behind. In immunological parameters, 2% PSO increased the value of WBCs, TPS, and IgM, with 1.5% PSO just behind. Blood performance, which assesses overall blood health as a single measure, showed the highest performance in the 2% PSO treatment, significantly surpassing other treatments (P<0.05). Overall, the results indicated that adding different levels of PSO to carp diets has positive effects at a rate not exceeding 2%.

Optimising the cost of nutrients in fish diets is crucial for aquaculture production, as feed accounts for 50% of operational expenses in intensive aquaculture. The rising demand for mustard oil cake (MOC), a commonly used feed ingredient in Indian aquaculture, has led to a significant increase in its price due to its diverse applications. Azolla (Azolla pinnata), a free-floating freshwater plant, has attracted researchers in fish feed formulation due to its rich nutrient profile. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of MOC with Azolla meal in the diet of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry. Pelleted feed was formulated with Azolla meal replacing MOC at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% and fed to fish. Growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), haematological parameters and proximate composition in fish carcass were assessed after 90 days of experimental feeding. Simultaneously, a control feed without supplementing of Azolla meal was also prepared. Fish were fed daily with the experimental diets at 8, 6 and 4% of their body weight during the first, second and third months respectively, in the morning hours (10:00 hrs). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess the effect of formulated diets on fish carcasses composition and haematological parameters. The results showed that replacing 30% of MOC with Azolla meal in the diet, led to significantly (p≤0.05) higher specific growth rate (SGR) and percentage weight gain and significantly (p≤0.05) lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) at this concentration. Fish survival rate ranged from 80.00 to 93.33% among different treatments. Further, significant (p≤0.05) differences were observed in both haematological parameters of fish and the proximate composition of fish carcass. among the different treatments. These findings suggest that MOC can be effectively replaced with 30% Azolla meal in the diet for rearing common carp fry to fingerling stage, without compromising the growth performance. Keywords: Aquaculture, Feed conversion ratio, Health status, Mustard oil cake, Principal component analysis, Specific growth rate, Survival

Rainbow trout (104.8±0.15g), Oncorhynchus mykiss, were fed a commercial extruded pellet for 7 weeks to investigate the effect of restricted feeding on performances. Three restricted feeding were tested: two day intervals (TDI), every other day (EOD) and twice a day (TD). Fish were held in fresh water at 9-13°C from January 16 to March 4, 2004. Feed conversion rate (FCR) were TDI and TD groups 1.33±0.03 and EOD group 1.54±0.03, protein efficiency ratio (PER) were TDI group 1.88±0.04, EOD group 1.59±0.03 and TD group 1.85±0.04, respectively. Although FCR was the same between TDI and TD, there was a significant differences in weight gain, relative growth rate (RGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) between the groups. These group evaluated the food at the same rate but since the given food amount were different, the weight gain, SGR and RGR of TD were the highest dependent to the food amount. Although the FCR was good in restricted fed fish, the taken feed amount sigificantly affected the growth parameters of fish. Relative growth rate (RGR), weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were lower in TDI and EOD groups. Both specific growth rate and relative growth rate increased with number of restricted feeding. The restricted feeding influenced the chemical composition of the fish. The lipid, moisture and protein content of fish increased when the fish were fd twice a day (TD group). In terms of SGR and RGR, it can be concluded that the best growth rate was obtained from the fish fed twice a day (TD) and every other day (EOD) feeding for rainbow trout at 9-13oC.

Background: Probiotic is the best solution (Produce antimicrobial compounds, inhibit colonization of pathogenic microorganism, increase digestive ability and confer better health to the host) as an alternative to antibiotics against various microbial infection in freshwater and marine water. The freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio was selected for this research work (due to high growth rate, high protein content, ability to survive under different climatic conditions and its availability throughout the year) to observe the effect of probiotic Enterococcus gallinarum N3 supplemented feed on its growth. Methods: In this present research work Prepared three different concentration of probiotic Enterococcus gallinarum N3 (0.1%. 0.5% and 1.0%) along with basal diet containing other ingredients (fish meal, groundnut oil cake, wheat bran, starch and Vitamin mineral premix). Initially 14 days acclimatized freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio to laboratory condition selected randomly for four treatment groups as Control (C) and probiotic feed treated T1, T2 and T3 group. The experiment was carried out for 42 days with continuous aeration, natural photoperiod of 16 hrs light and 8 hrs dark, maintain temperature constant and fishes fed diet twice daily. The feed ingredients and experimental diets analysed for proximate composition and measured Weight gain, Specific growth rate (SGR), and Feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Result: The proximate composition of the feed was determined as percentage dry matter in which 36.21% protein, 6.8% moisture and 7.8% of lipid. The probiotic feed experiment was conducted for 42 days and entire group of fishes was survived. The effect of probiotic feed on growth performance of Cyprinus carpio was measured as initial weight, final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. The growth changes were observed before and after treatment with 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% of probiotic E. gallinarum N3 fed to Cyprinus carpio. The final weight (g) and final length (cm) was measured in treatment T1 (3.107 g; 3.32 cm), T2 (3.258 g; 3.40 cm) and T3 (3.413 g; 3.52 cm) respectively as compared with Control group C (2.255 g; 2.98 cm). The percentage weight gain obtained in group T1 (37.78%), T2 (44.45%) and (51.55%) respectively as compared with Control group C (29.54%). Maximum specific growth rate was observed in treatments T1 (0.94 % day-1), T2 (0.99% day-1) and T3 (1.02% day-1) as compared with control group C (0.56% day-1). The results showed better growth performance and feed utilization in all the three treated groups T1, T2 and T3. The best growth performance (final weight, final length, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency) and feed utilization (moisture, protein and lipid) was observed best in T3 (1 g kg-1) group of fishes as compared to control C group. There was significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in final weight, final length, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.

The aquaculture due to the high cost and continued shortage of animal protein sources, the development of alternative plant protein sources has been one of the main challenges to establish sustainable aquaculture as economically viable. Objective of this investigation was to determine the chemical composition and effect of Tithonia diversifolia on the growth performance, feed efficiency and metabolic biochemistry of juveniles of Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus. Five treatments were used: 0% (control), 4, 8, 12 and 16% levels of inclusion of T. diversifolia flour in diet to feed juvenile fish cultured in 15 plastic aquariums at a density of 15 fish/aquarium. The assay lasted eight weeks. The T. diversifolia flour was characterized for showing adequate levels of crude protein (21%), with low crude fat (4.5%) levels, neutral detergent fiber levels: 43.03% and acid detergent fiber: 24.40%. The growth performance presented significant differences (p˂0.05), for weight gain, day average weight gain (DAW), length gain, day average length gain (DAL), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In treatment with 16% of inclusion of T. diversifolia flour, values obtained for weight gain, DAW, SGR, FE and PER (15.88 g, 0.28 g. day-1, 2.03 %, 0.34 g.g-1 and 0.98, respectively), which did not differ with the control treatment, highlighting the benefits of T diversifolia flour. The metabolic biochemistry parameters experienced a decrease with the increase of T. diversifolia in diet, where the highest values of triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose were for the control treatment (p <0.05), while the protein increased to 4% of the flour. T. diversifolia flour presents an adequate balance of nutrients for its chemical composition and amino acids, without causing negative effects on the growth performance, weight-length relationship, feed efficiency, survival and metabolic biochemistry.

The objective of the study was to determine the dietary administration effect of sea grape powder (Caulerpa lentillifera) in the diet on the growth performance and survival rate of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Two hundred forty shrimps (PL 15) averaging 0.0020 g were randomly distributed into 24 of 10 l tanks. The 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 g/kg of sea grape powder was supplemented into six formulated feed. The result showed that the application of the sea grape (Caulerpa lentillifera) meal in the diet gave a significant effect on the weight gain, specific growth rate, daily growth rate, absolute length, feed conversion ratio, and feed utilization efficiency, but no significant effect on survival rate. The optimum weight gain, specific growth rate, daily growth rate, absolute length, feed conversion ratio and feed utilization efficiency were found at treatment D (30 g/kg diet) with the values were 0.20 gram, 7, 86% /day, 0.003 g/day, 26.6 mm, 0.81 and 123.84% respectively. Based on these result, it is concluded that the recommended level of sea grape powder dietary level (Caulerpa lentillifera) in shrimp feed (Penaeus monodon) was 30 g/kg.

Green mussel (Perna viridis L.) is one of economically valuable shellfish that can be potentially developed to support the people economic income. This study aimed to investigate the growth performance of green mussels at two different groups. Two groups of 15-individual green mussels’ culture was cultured repeatedly forthree times.. The two groups treatment used were 0.9 m depth and on the surface of the water. TThe growth performances were quantified in terms ofweight gain, length gain, daily growth rate, daily length growth rate, specific growth rate, specific length rate. Result showed that green mussels with a depth of 0.9 m and water surface were weight gain, length gain, daily growth rate, daily length growth rate, specific growth rate, specific length rate by values of 10.33±0.43 g, 38.12±2.02 mm, 0.11±0.004 gr/day, 0.39±0.02 mm/day, 1.60±0.11 %/day, and 0.80±0.02 %/day and 8.09±0.21 g, 33.66±0.92 mm, 0.08±0.002 g/day, 0,34±0.01, 1.27±0.03 %/day and 0.74±0.02 %/day, respectively. The growth performance of 0.9 m depth culture were significantly better that water surface culture. Therefore, it is concluded that the 0.9 m of green mussel culture is suggested to obtain the better growth performance.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of natural, sprout powder and hydroponic planting of Barley on some growth parameters of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. The trail was conducted for 56 days and for this purpose 175 fingerlings common carp, mean initial weight of 34.71 g were acclimated to laboratory conditions and fed with control pellets (30%crude protein) prior to the feeding trials for 21 days. Seven experimental diets were used and the control as 0% (T1), Natural planting 2.5 (T2) and 5 gm/kg diet (T3), Hydroponic Planting 2.5 (T4) and 5 gm/kg diet (T5), Barley sprout powder 2.5 (T6) and 5 gm/kg diet (T7). According to the results no significant differences observed in mean initial weight this was done in way to avoid differences attributed to fish initial weight, T4 (Barley sprout powder 2.5 g/kg diet) was significantly higher in each daily and relative growth rate, but the specific growth rate both T4 and T7 were significantly higher than other treatments. No significant differences observed in Food Conversion Ratio and Protein Efficiency Ratio but T4 (Barley sprout powder 2.5 g/kg diet), T6 (Natural planting 2.5 gm/kg diet) and T7 (Natural planting 5 gm/kg diet) differ significantly in Food Efficiency Ratio. As general conclusion the adding of germinated barley enhance common carp performance in any way of germination.