Effect of dietary raw and autoclaved Ulva supplemented meal on the growth performance of Cirrhinus mrigala

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of Ulva supplemented meal on the growth performance on mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) after 10 days acclimatization to the new conditions. The fish were stocked at density of 10 fish per aquarium (1×1×1 feet) designated as U0, U1, U2 and U3 respectively, U3 as control and were distributed randomly among 12 aquaria for 60 days and data were evaluated on fortnightly basis. Fish with initial body weight U0 (63.64gm.) U1 (63.87gm), U2 (64.16gm) and U3 (64.14gm). Final average body weight U0 (146.47gm), U1 (271.16gm), U2 (196.14gm) and U3 (186.14gm). Fish were fed with Ulva supplemented diets at 5%, 10% and 15% in U1, U2 and U3 tank respectively while U0 fish fed with a diet containing no Ulva. Feed pellets were given at 3% body weight per day. The water quality parameters were monitored on weekly basis interval and the ranges were temperature 27.03-28.80C, pH 7.13-7.69, dissolved oxygen 5.06-5.5mg/l, alkalinity 50.33-64.93mg/l and ammonia 001-0.11mg/l. The result of the present study showed that, among the 3 different dietary Ulva levels, mrigal fed with 5% Ulva supplemented feed showed the best growth performance. Growth performance of fish fed with Ulva were evaluated on the basis of net weight gain, percent weight gain, feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate. The proximate composition was done using soxtron apparatus for crude fat, kjeltron apparatus for crude protein and by estimating ash and moisture content.