Spirulina powder as a source of carotenoid on pigmentation in the skin of dwarf gourami, Trichogaster lalius

Abstract

In the present study juveniles of Trichogaster lalius were exposed to different concentration of spirulina powder incorporated diets to observe the impact in pigmentation of the respective fish in the captive condition. Three different concentration feed were prepared by incorporating spirulina powder at the rate of 2 g/kg (A-2), 4 g/kg (A-4) and 6 g/kg (A-6) feed and one kept as control. Eight set of glass aquarium of 50 l capacity (30 × 30 × 30 cm) were used for 4 set of experiment with their respective replicates. The impact of spirulina treated feed on skin pigmentation of fishes was analyzed for a period of 60 days. The overall variation in carotenoid level of skin was observed at different wave length i.e. 450 nm, 475 nm and 500 nm. At 450 nm wave length maximum carotenoid accumulation was observed in skin of those fish fed on 2g/kg followed by 4g/kg, 6g/kg spirulina powder incorporated diet and control. At 475 nm wave length the maximum carotenoid accumulation was observed on fish feed 6g/kg spirulina powder incorporated diet, and at 500 nm wave length maximum amount of carotenoid was recorded in 2g/kg followed by 6g/kg, 4g/kg spirulina powder incorporating diet and control. There was significant increased (P