Effect of Formulated Algal Diet on growth performance of Labeo rohita Hamilton

Abstract

A 12-week laboratory feeding trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of two different algae based value added feeds (one containing Spirulina platensis and Enteromorpha intestinalis and the other with Phormidium valderianum and Catenella repens) against conventional (rice bran and mustard oil cake taken in 2:1 ratio, used as control) for fingerlings of Indian major carp, Rohu (Labeo rohita, Cyprinidae). The feeds were formulated on the basis of crude protein requirement of Rohu. Proximate composition of the above mentioned algal genera and the formulated feeds was analyzed in respect to protein, carbohydrate, lipid, carotenoid and ash content. Evaluation of diets was carried out on the basis of feed intake rate, body weight gain percentage, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, metabolic growth rate, protein productive value, protein efficiency ratio, total muscle protein, lipid, carotenoid, ash content and accumulated muscle glycogen content. It was observed that the value added algal feed 2 was more suitable diet than the other two for Indian Major Carp L. rohita fingerling as evident from the growth performances. On the other hand, control diet resulted into high body lipid deposition which led to poor growth of the fishes.