Abstract
Six-weeks of feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets formulated using fish meal made from minor cyprinids ( Dawkinsia singhala (DS) and Puntius chola (PC)) on the growth of koi carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) juveniles. Two isonitrogenous (crude protein -35 %) experimental diets with average lipid level (dry matter) of 8.96 ± 0.41 % (mean ± SD) were prepared containing 30.5% DS: 9% fish meal (FM) (T 1 ); 33% PC: 8% FM (T 2 ). Prima ® tropical fish feed was used as the control (T 3 ). Each treatment was followed by three replicates and nine cement tanks of 1.5 m ×1.2 m in size were used to conduct the study. Hundred juvenile koi fish with an average weight of 0.58±0.03 g (mean ± SD) were randomly allocated for each tank. At the end of feeding trial, no significant differences were found in weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and survival rate among fish fed 3 diets ( P >0.05). The results indicated that two minor cyprinid species selected in the present study could be utilized as a protein supplement in juvenile koi carp feeds to replace high cost fish meals.
Highlights
Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a popular ornamental fish variety, and in Sri Lanka, import and breeding of koi carps are mostly for local hobbyists
Preparation of a suitable feed type for koi carps using cheap, locally available ingredients would be a promising means for the development this important ornamental fish farming sector in Sri Lanka
It has been reported that minor cyprinid species such as Amblypharyngodon melettinus, Dawkinsia singhala and Puntius chola, which are hitherto unexploited in commercial scale due to low consumer preference, are abundant in the reservoir fish communities (Amarasinghe 1985, 1990; De Silva and Sirisena 1987; Schiemer et al 2001)
Summary
Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a popular ornamental fish variety, and in Sri Lanka, import and breeding of koi carps are mostly for local hobbyists. Ornamental fish culture practices depend on the formulated feeds, and feed cost attributes a major cost component related to this industry. Preparation of a suitable feed type for koi carps using cheap, locally available ingredients would be a promising means for the development this important ornamental fish farming sector in Sri Lanka. It has been reported that minor cyprinid species such as Amblypharyngodon melettinus, Dawkinsia singhala and Puntius chola, which are hitherto unexploited in commercial scale due to low consumer preference, are abundant in the reservoir fish communities (Amarasinghe 1985, 1990; De Silva and Sirisena 1987; Schiemer et al 2001). The fishery potential of this untapped fishery resource in reservoirs was found to be very high and through commercial scale exploitation, they may support a supplementary annual fish harvest of about 22,000 tonnes (Amarasinghe et al 2009, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
