Nutritional Indices & Biochemical Constituents in the Fresh Water Fish Labeo rohita Fed with Formulated Feeds

This study was conducted to assess and categorize the feeds formulated with five different combinations of cereals and pulses (Maize & Green gram, Rice & Black gram, Barley & Red gram, Pearl millet & Bengal gram, foxtail millet & Cow pea) along with coconut oil cake, mustard oil cake, groundnut oil cake, palm kernel cake, sesame oil cake and soya meal for sustainable maintenance of Labeo rohita. Three types of feeds formulated in each combination (Type-A: ۲۵% pulse+۲۵% cereal, Type-B:۴۰% pulse+۱۰% cereal and Type– C:۱۰% pulse+ ۴۰% cereal) were prepared along with equal proportion of above-mentioned oil cakes and soya meal. Tapioca flour and egg albumin were used as binding agents. ۱% of vitamin B- complex with vitamin- C was also mixed. These feeds were fed to Labeo rohita for a period of ۴ months during kharif season. Commercially available standard biofloc feed was served as control. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and hepato somatic index were evaluated. At the end of feeding trial, survival in all groups was above ۹۰% and was not significantly different among groups. The results indicated that fish fed the Maize & Green gram and Pearl millet & Bengal gram showed significantly (p<۰.۰۵) better specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared with those fed the other diets. Therefore, on-farm feed formulation can be made with these commodities of pulses and cereals for sustainable culture of Labeo rohita. The dry matter and carbohydrate digestibility were significantly higher (p<۰.۰۵) in groups fed on Type –C and Type-A diets compare to Type-B formulation. However, the digestibility of crude protein and energy in diets did not differ significantly (p>۰.۰۵) among groups fed on experimental diets.

Keywords:

Feed nutrition , Growth performance , Digestibility , Hepato somatic index