Growth response, feed utilization and survival rate of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffroy St; Hilaire 1809) fed varying levels of vitamin C

摘要

ThegrowthofaquacultureindustryinNigeriadependstoalargeextentontheavailabilityofhighqualityfishfeeds.Processingofingredientshasresultedinthedeficiencyofascorbatewhichisanutrientrequiredtomaintainthephysiologicalprocessofdifferentanimalincludingfish.ThisstudywasconductedtodeterminetheeffectsofdietaryvitaminCongrowthperformance,feedutilizationandsurvivalofHeterobranchusbidorsalisfingerlings.ThreedietsdesignatedasNoAA,250AAand500AAcontainingascorbicacidat0,250and500mgkg-1dietrespectivelywerefedtoH.bidorsalisfingerlings(3.73±0.13g)intriplicatetanksthricedailyforaperiodof114days.Dailyweightgain,specificgrowthrate,feedconversionandproteinefficiencyratiowerebetterfordiet500AAthanfordietsNoAAand250AA.Thebestsurvivalratewasalsorecordedfordiet500AA.ItisconcludedthatsupplementationwithvitaminCat500mgkg-1dietenhancedthegrowthperformance,feedutilizationandsurvivalrateofH.bidorsalisinintensivefishculture.