An assessment of growth and immunity in Oreochromis niloticus under the effect of diet supplemented with Aloe barbadensis extract

Abstract

Aloe barbadensis was used as a feed supplement to enhance the growth performance and act as an immunostimulant in fish. In this view, the present study was conducted to investigate the variation in growth rate and hematology of Nile tilapia under 1% and 2% Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) supplementation in the feed. In glass aquaria, ten fish was stocked for 2 months. Fish was feed two times daily according to their body weight with feed containing 35% crude protein. The Aloe vera was most effective at 1% concentration and gave maximum growth. The initial average weight in T0, T1, and T2 was 27.2, 19.7, and 20.5 g respectively. The final average weight was 37.4, 41.7, and 40 g correspondingly in three treatments. The highest weight gain was observed in T1 was 41.7g. Moreover, the average specific growth rate was at a peak for T1 as compared to T0 and T2. Blood parameter analysis also favored T1 to be most useful as a feed supplement. Overall, the 1% Aloe vera group showed enhanced growth and immunological parameters, while Aloe vera 2% was proven dangerous for Tilapia.