Influence of vitamin c on growth indices, survival rate and moulting of the juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

The present work is aimed to find out the influence of dietary vitamin C on the survival, moulting rate and ascorbic acid content in tissues of juveniles of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii . Prawns are treated with Vitamin C supplemented with a diet at eight levels of vitamin C i.e. 0, 50,100, 150, 200, 275, 375 and 525 mg AA (ascorbic acid)/kg (V0, V50, V100, V150, V200, V275, V375 and V525 respectively) to the experimental animals for 56 days. The results showed that below a level of 100 mg AA/kg diet, length of the animal, weight of the animal and the survival rates were deteriorated more whereas above the levels of V200 they are accelerated more, which was indicating mainly due to incomplete moulting. Black lesions and ulcerations at the tip of the appendages and on gills respectively are observed at the edge of the appendages of paralyzed and dead animals. The whole body ascorbic acid content reached a steady state only a 375 mg AA/kg diet and therefore the amount of ascorbic acid recommended in the diet of M. rosenbergii is 375 mg AA/ kg. It is evident from the results that vitamin C improves growth, survival and resistance in PLs of M. rosenbergii against stress during culture. Therefore, adequate supply of these vitamins in diet increases the commercial production of this species.