Influence of Acalypha indica supplemented diet on the feeding energetics and growth of fish Labeo rohita

Abstract

Aquaculture production relies on the quality of feed and a balanced diet helps to maximize fish yield and profitability. Plant based feed supplements in aquaculture are ideal as growth promoters and immunostimulants. The present study assessed the effect of a medicinal plant, Acalypha indica leaf on the feeding energetics and growth of the freshwater fish, Labeo rohita. Incorporation of different concentrations of Acalypha indica leaf supplemented diet enhanced the assimilation, conversion and metabolic rate when the fish were fed with 20% concentration of A. indica leaf in the feed. The assimilation efficiency as well as the gross conversion efficiencies showed an increase and maximum growth was observed at 20% concentration suggesting the leaf inclusion as a growth promotor.