Investigation of fat content in market common carp (Cyprinus carpio) flesh during the growing season

Abstract

Effects of supplemental feeding with cereals (rye, triticale, maize and the unsupplemental control group) on fat content in flesh of 3-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were the subject of study carried out at four ponds (Czech Republic, Central Europe) during the growing season. The main result was that supplemental feeding with cereals to the same energetic level was associated with varying growth and fat content in the flesh of common carp. At the end of the experiment, the stock of fish supplementally fed with maize was found to have the highest fat content (112.7 ± 15.6 g kg−1), while the lowest value of fat content was found in the control group (56.8 ± 9.4 g kg−1). The carps supplementally fed with rye were found to have a higher fat content (90.1 ± 19.0) than those supplementally fed with triticale (84.3 ± 15.7 g kg−1). Established average fat content values (except for maize) were at the level that indicate a high sensory quality of carp flesh during the whole growing season.