Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
ISSN 1110 – 6131
Vol. 26(4): 1023 – 1037 (2022)
www.ejabf.journals.ekb.eg
Adaptive habituation and assessing the feeding effect on growth performance and
body composition of an aquarium fish red swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii
(Heckel, 1848) in Bangladesh
1
1*
1
2
Rakiba Sultana , Md. Tariqul Alam , Md. Parvez Masud , Md. Abdul Baten ,
Atiqur Rahman Sunny3,4, Mohammad Mosarof Hossain5
1. Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
2. Department of Fishing and Post-Harvest Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine
Science, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
3. Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and
Technology, Bangladesh.
4. Suchana Project, WorldFish, Bangladesh Office, House# 22B, Road# 07, Bangladesh
5. Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.
*
Corresponding Author: talam.aq@sau.ac.bd
ARTICLE INFO
Article History:
Received: Oct. 26, 2021
Accepted: June 30, 2022
Online: Aug. 17, 2022
_______________
Keywords:
Red swordtail,
Feed,
Growth performance,
Proximate composition,
Aquarium
ABSTRACT
The Red Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii, a globally popular ornamental fish,
gains an increasing interest in Bangladesh due to its attractive color and its recent
high commercial value. However, available information on habituation, feed
acceptance, and effects of feeding on growth and body composition are scanty in
Bangladesh. This experiment aimed at assessing feeding effects on the growth
performance, adaptive habituation efficiencies, and whole-body carcass
composition of X. hellerii in laboratory conditions. Fish fries (n=20) were fed with
three different diets explicitly T 1-formulated diet, T2-mega feed, and T3-fast red
feed, for 100 days in 9 uniform individual glass aquaria (capacity:105-litre,
size:24×12×12 inches3). The water quality parameters did not significantly vary
(P>0.05) among the treatments and were within the suitable limits for fish culture.
In the end, significantly higher (P<0.05) final weight (2.05±0.100g), weight gain
(2.00±0.107g), percent weight gain (4013.33±2140%), average daily weight gain
(0.02±0.001 g/day), and survival rate (86.67±3%) were recorded in fish fed T3 diet,
compared to T1 and T2 diets. Significantly better nutrient utilization, viz. protein
efficiency ratio (0.12±0.005) and lowest feed conversion ratio (1.21±0.020) were
also recorded in fish fed T 3 diet. Analysis of X. hellerii whole-body carcass
composition reveals that significantly higher (P<0.05) lipid (4.24±0.08%) and
protein (15.078±0.55%) contents were recorded in fish fed T1 diet compared to
those fed T3 and T2 diets. Despite the lower growth performance, the carcass
composition of fishes was higher in T1 than that in T2 and T3. The higher lipid and
protein content in fishes of the T1 group reflected that the fishes fed with
formulated feed well habituated over T 3 fed on fast red feed and T 2 fed on mega
feed.
INTRODUCTION
The rearing of ornamental piscine organisms is one of the important economic and
profitable fish farming activities in Asian countries (Absali & Mohamad, 2010). The
1024
Sultana et al. (2022)
colorful and attractive characteristics of ornamental fishes are gaining prominence in
aquaculture because of their aesthetic and enormous commercial value in the export and
trade around the world (Wagde et al., 2018). The red swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), a
benthopelagic colourful fish usually inhabits fresh and brackish water habitat, is
considered a very popular ornamental fish species due to the variety of body colors and
fin patterns (Ling et al., 2006). It is one of the prettiest fish for an aquarium and is a very
hardy species (Ghosh et al., 2007). The culture of green swordtail is concentrated in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, India, and China in floating net cages or in
earthen ponds (Radhika et al., 2007). Ornamental fish are mostly fed with live feed
which consists of zooplankton and phytoplankton (Anjur, 2017). The commercial
producer of ornamental fish is demanded to supplement formulated feeds with live feed,
which is very important for growth improvement (Lim et al., 2003). Live feeds are
responsible for introducing harmful pathogens and may not provide adequate nutrition for
broodstock fish (Shu-Chien et al., 2004). Thus, the development of formulated feed is
necessary for the growth of ornamental fish, especially red swordtail fish.
Feed composition, quality and quantity, and ration size are among the most
important factors that have profound effects on growth performance, gonad development,
reproduction, and whole-body composition of fish (Sampath & Pandian, 1984; James
et al., 1993). The nutritional content explicitly protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals are
required for egg development and spawning of female fish (James et al., 2006). Dietary
protein and lipids are major sources of metabolic energy during the embryonic and prefeeding larval stages in fishes (Mousavi-Sabet et al., 2013). On the other hand,
formulated feed and its nutritional composition are important for feed conversion and
quicker growth in farmed ornamental fish (Wagde et al., 2018). There are several reports
on the effect of different forms of feed on the growth, survival and reproduction of
ornamental fishes (James & Sampath, 2004; Shu-Chien et al., 2004; Anka et al., 2016;
Kradal et al., 2018). In addition, the growth and reproductive performances of live
breeders including swordtails are influenced by the nutritional composition of feed
(Dzikowski et al., 2001; Ling et al., 2006). Consequently, the study of feed
supplementation is an important parameter for the rearing the red swordtail, X. hellerii.
In Bangladesh, different types of commercial feeds are used for rearing ornamental
fishes, and protein content ranged from 30-32%. A commercial diet (mega feed)
containing 34.11% protein increases the growth of goldfish (Shajib et al., 2017). Anka et
al. (2016) found that formulated feed gives better growth in the guppy Poecilia reticulata
(Peters, 1859) than the commercial pelleted feed. Although several studies have evidence
that various types of feed influence growth performance, yet the studies on the body
composition of ornamental fishes in Bangladesh are scarce. In the Bangladesh context,
very little information is available on the nutritional requirements of red swordtails for
better growth efficiency in aquarium conditions. Moreover, studies assessing the effects
of feed on the growth performance and body composition of red swordtail, X. hellerii are
extremely scant in Bangladesh. In this regard, the present research aimed at assessing the
habituation efficiency, growth performance, and body composition of red swordtail X.
hellerii.
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Feeding effect on growth and body composition of aquarium fish red swordtail
MATERIALS AND METHODS
1. Experimental settings, diets preparation and test fish
Initially, 9 glass aquaria with a capacity of 105 liters were prepared at the laboratory of
aquaculture, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh. After preparing
the aquarium, it was confirmed that it is leakproof by filling it with water. Then, two
filters and two air-stones were set in each aquarium to provide filtration and sufficient
aeration during the experimental period. Rock stones were introduced into every
aquarium and filled the aquarium with clean water. All aquaria were kept on a 1m high
concrete platform to facilitate better observation and accessibility. Complete randomized
design (CRD) was used for the experiment and the study design contained three
treatments (T1, T2, and T3) and each with 3 replications (R1, R2 and R3) (Table 1).
Table 1. Experimental design, stocking densities of X. hellerii and assigning trail diets
Treatment
T1
T2
T3
Replication
R1
R2
R3
R1
R2
R3
R1
R2
R3
Stocking density per aquaria
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Fed with the experimental diet
Diet 1 (formulated feed)
Diet 1 (formulated feed)
Diet 1 (formulated feed)
Diet 2 (Mega feed)
Diet 2 (Mega feed)
Diet 2 (Mega feed)
Diet 3 (Fast red feed)
Diet 3 (Fast red feed)
Diet 3 (Fast red feed)
2. Stocking and post-stocking feeding regimes
Three feeds were selected for the experiment. Diet 1 was formulated feed, which
was prepared with basic ingredients explicitly 16% of rice bran, 48% of fish meal, 30%
of mustard oil cake, 4% of molasses, and 2% of vitamin and mineral premix at
Aquaculture Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU). The
other two commercial feeds were mega feed and fast red feed and coded as diet 2 and diet
3, respectively. Finally, diets were air dried and stored in air-tight containers until fed to
fish. The proximate compositions of the test diets were determined according to the
standard procedure of AOAC (2000) (Table 2).
The freshwater red swordtail, X. hellerii fries were purchased from “Love and Hobby
World”, a commercial ornamental fish selling shop located at Zindabazar, Sylhet,
Bangladesh. Healthy fish fries, with an average body weight of “0.05±0.001g” and length
“1.68±0.016cm” were collected, transported to the laboratory, and randomly stocked @
20 fishes per aquarium (Table 1). Then, all aquaria were covered well with a cloth to
prevent fish from escaping, and pores were made in each cloth to pass the aerator pipe
and feed for fish. The X. hellerii fries were fed on diets in accordance with the treatments
and replications (Table 1). The fish were fed twice a day with respective feed to apparent
satiation, with the daily ratio being divided into two equal parts and fed during 10.00 a.m
1026
Sultana et al. (2022)
and 17.00 p.m. At the beginning of the experiment, the feed was supplied at the rate of
10% of the body weight of X. hellerii, and gradually it was re-adjusted to 8%, 5%, 4%,
and 3% every twenty days.
Table 2. Proximate composition (dry matter basis) of different experimental feed used
Proximate
composition (%)
Moisture
Ash
Crude Protein
Crude fiber
Lipid
Nitrogen free
Extract (NFE)
Diet 1 (Formulated
feed) T1
5.34
14.46
37.62
11.92
10.61
20.10
Diet 2 (Mega
feed) T2
4.85
13.52
27.62
6.51
3.23
44.27
Diet 3 (Fast
red feed) T3
0.95
11.38
29.54
6.21
5.21
46.72
3. Sampling, water quality parameters
The hydrobiological parameters, such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO),
ammonia and nitrite were weekly monitored throughout the experimental period between
9.00 am to 11.00 am of the day. The pH and temperature were measured by an electric
digital waterproof pH meter (HANNA-211) and a mercury Celsius thermometer (1 div:
0.lºC), respectively. Other parameters such as DO, nitrate, ammonia etc. were measured
by using a hack kit (HI3826).
4. Measurement of growth parameters
For the measurement growth parameter, red swordtail, X. hellerii were collected at each
twenty (20) days interval from each aquarium. The total time spent out of the water was
less than 5 seconds. To calculate and monitor various growth parameters of X. hellerii,
individual weight was measured by using an electronic balance (readability 0.01 g) model
KERN 572-33, Germany, and total length (cm) was measured by using a measuring
board to the nearest 0.1cm, and then samples were returned to the respective aquarium.
The following equations were used for the calculation of growth parametersMean final weight – Mean initial weight
Mean length gain (cm) = Mean final length – Mean initial length
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Feeding effect on growth and body composition of aquarium fish red swordtail
5. Determination of proximate composition
The major nutritional composition of experimental feeds and experimental fishes were
analyzed in the Fish and Animal Nutrition Laboratory, SAU. The Association of Official
Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2000) methods with slight modifications were used for the
determination of proximate composition in fish feeds and swordtail fishes. The following
equations were used:
The protein percentage (wet or dry basis) was calculated as follows:
% Crude Protein = % N2 x 6.25 (animal source)
Or % Crude Protein = % of N2 x 5.85 (Plant source)
Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE %) = {100 - (moisture + crude protein + lipid + ash + crude
fiber)}.
6. Data Analysis
One-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) with SPSS (Statistical package for social
science, version, 20) were implied to perceive whether the parameters among the
treatments were statistically significant or not. The mean values were compared by
Sultana et al. (2022)
1028
Duncan’s multiple range test (Duncan, 1955) to test the significance of the difference
between the treatments.
RESULTS
1. Water quality parameters
The water quality parameters, viz. temperature, DO, pH, alkalinity, nitrite (NO2),
phosphate (PO4), and ammonium (NH3) did not significantly vary (P>0.05) among the
treatments and were in the ranges considered as suitable limits for fish culture (Table 3).
Table 3. Water quality parameters in three treatments during the experimental period
T1
27.33± 0.420
6.33±0.580
Treatments1
T2
27.17 ± 0.290
6.67±0.580
T3
26.97 ± 0.150
6.83±0.760
6.76±0.25
6.77 ± 0.140
0.00
0.50
0.34 ± 0.090
6.60±0.340
7.11 ± 0.310
0.00
0.50
0.258 ± 0.00
6.57±0.150
6.54 ± 0.270
0.00
0.50
0.319 ± 0.080
Parameter
o
Water temperature ( C)
Dissolved oxygen (DO)
(mg/l)
Alkalinity (mg/l)
pH
Nitrite (NO2) (mg/l)
Phosphate (PO4) (mg/l)
Ammonium (NH3) (mg/l)
1
Values are means of data obtained ± Std. Deviation (mean ± SD) of weekly determinations. The absence
of superscripts indicates no significant difference among different treatments (P>0.05).
2. Growth performance of red swordtail, X. helleri
The X. helleri samples were cultured with the feeding of three feed explicitly
formulated feed in treatment T1, mega feed T2, and fast red feed in T3. The growth
performance of X. helleri was determined by calculating final weight (g), final length
(cm), weight gain (g), length gain (cm), percent weight gain (%), specific growth rate
(SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), food efficiency ratio (FCE), protein efficiency ratio
(PER) and survival rate (%). Significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight, percent weight
gain and average daily weight gain were found in T3, followed by T2, and was lower in
fish fed with diet T1 (Table 4). The SGR (% day-1) ranged from 3.72 to 3.27, and higher
values were found in T3, followed by T2 and lower in T1. There were significant (P<0.01)
variations in SGR between T1 and T2, T1 and T3, but no significant difference was
observed between T2 and T3 (Table 4). Significantly (P<0.05) higher FCR value was
found in T1, followed by T2 and T3 (Fig. 1a). Significantly (P<0.05) improved FCE and
PER values were observed in three treatments (T1>T2 >T3) of cultured X. hellerii (Fig. 1b,
c). The observed survival rate of X. helleri follows the order of T1>T2 > T3, and
significant (P<0.05) variations in values were detected between T1 and T2, T1 and T3 (Fig.
1d).
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Feeding effect on growth and body composition of aquarium fish red swordtail
Table 4. Effect of different feed on the growth parameters of red swordtail, X. helleri
T1
0.05±0.001a
1.32±0.130a
1.68±0.160a
5.06±0.410a
1.27±0.139a
3.38±0.416a
2540±2770a
221.03±0.097a
0.013±0.002a
Treatment1
T2
0.05±0.001a
1.76±0.130b
1.68±0.160a
5.39±0.160ab
1.71±0.137b
3.71±0.167a
3420±2750b
221.03±0.0999a
0.017±0.001b
3.27±0.110a
3.56±0.080b
Growth parameter
Initial weight (g)
Final weight (g)
Initial length (cm)
Final length (cm)
Net weight gain (g)
Length gain (cm)
Percent weight gain (%)
Percent length gain (%)
Average daily weight
Gain (g/day)
SGR (%/day)
1
T3
0.05±0.001a
2.05±0.10c
1.68±0.160a
5.71±0.130b
2.00±0.107c
4.03±0.135a
4013.33±2140c
239.88±0.080a
0.0201±0.001c
3.72±0.050b
Level of
significance
Ns
*
Ns
**
*
Ns
*
Ns
*
**
Values are means of data obtained ± Std. Deviation (mean ± SD) of 20 days’ interval determinations.
Values in a row having the same superscript do not differ significantly (p>0.05) whereas values bearing the
dissimilar letter (s) differ significantly (as per DMRT) * (p<0.05) and ** (p<0.01) significant at 5% and
1% level of probability, Ns=not significant.
Fig. 1. Effect of feed on the growth performance of red swordtail, X. helleri (values were
expressed as mean ± std (n = 10), where bars with different superscripts represent the
statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference.
Sultana et al. (2022)
1030
3. Proximate composition analysis of red swordtail, X. helleri
The higher moisture content was noted in T2 (68.46±1.09%), followed by T3
(68.16±1.64%) and T1 (65.96±3.12 %); nonetheless, values were not-significantly
(P>0.05) varied among the treatments (Fig. 2a). The higher ash content was observed in
T1 (4.69±0.48%), followed by T2 (4.201±0.33%) and T3 (3.85±0.58%) and did not show
any significant variation (P>0.05) among treatments (Fig. 2b). Significantly higher
(P<0.05) crude protein content was found in T1, (15.078±0.55%) compared to T3
(13.427±0.224%) and T2 (13.127±0.49%) (Fig. 2c). However, T1 was significantly
different (P<0.01) from T2 and T3, whereas no significant difference was found (P>0.05)
between T2 and T3. Significantly higher (P<0.05) crude fiber content was recorded in T3
(3.047±0.18%) than T2 (2.423±0.12%) and T1 (2.262±0.11%) (Fig. 2d). The significantly
(P<0.05) higher lipid content was noted in T1 (4.24±0.08%), followed by T2
(2.59%±0.08%) and T3 (3.34±0.18%) treatments (Fig. 2e). The values for NFE content
did not significantly vary (P>0.05) among T1, T2, and T3 (Fig. 2f).
Fig. 2. Effect of formulated T1, mega T2 and fast red T3 feed on the proximate
composition of red swordtail, X. helleri (values were expressed mean ±std. error and bars
with the same superscript represent non-significant and different superscripts showing the
statistically significant (P < 0.05) variation different).
DISCUSSION
The demand for artificial breeding and the culture of ornamental fishes increased due
to its high economic value (Hoseinifar et al., 2015). Red swordtail X. helleri is one of the
most important ornamental commercial fish species (Mousavi-Sabet & Ghasemnejhad,
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Feeding effect on growth and body composition of aquarium fish red swordtail
2013; Petrescu-Mag et al., 2013). Nutritional manipulation in fish feed is considered one
of the most important goals in the ornamental fish culture plan (Firouzbakhsh et al.,
2011). The present experiment aimed to assess the adaptive habituation and determine the
effect of different feeds (formulated, fast red, and mega feed) on the growth performance
and proximate profiling of red swordtail, X. helleri.
1. Water quality parameters
All water quality parameters of this experiment (temperature, DO, pH, alkalinity,
nitrite, phosphate, and ammonium content) have not significantly varied among the three
treatments and were in a suitable range for fish culture. The water quality parameters of
the present study coincides with the result of Oliveira et al. (2008). They observed that
Cardinal tetra an Amazonian ornamental fish can tolerate the temperature of 25-29ºC,
pH (5.2 -8.4), and unionized ammonia (0.022 mg/l). Kader et al. (2017) and Hossain et
al. (2021) recorded similar ranges of water quality parameters in ponds of Mymensingh,
and Noakhali, respectively.
2. Growth performance of red swordtail, X. helleri
The final weight (g) of X. helleri in the present study ranged from 1.32- 2.05, with
the order T3 <T2 < T1 which concurs with the ranges (1.12-2.66) reported by Mohanta
and Subramanian (2011). The final length (cm) of fishes in various treatments ranged
from 4.65- 5.84cm in 100 days, which was to some extent similar to the results of
Tamaru et al. (2001) who recorded the length of X. helleri ranging from 3.14 to 6.16cm
in 90 days. The average daily weight gain of X. helleri in the present study ranged from
0.0107- 0.021 g/day. While, aligned ranges of weight gain (0.021-0.027 g/day) were
noted by Dharmaraj and Dhevendaran (2010) after 50 days of feeding. Comparatively,
much lower weight gain (0.002-0.008 g/day) was noted by Arulvasu et al. (2013) who
assessed the effect of natural sourced carotenoid pigments on growth, survival and
colouration of swordtail X. helleri. A significantly increased SGR (% day-1) was found in
T3 (3.72), followed by T2 (3.56%) and T1 (3.27); fast red feed T3 with 29.54% protein
contents gives better SGR. The SGR value in sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) ranged
from 3.62 - 3.86 %day-1 (Vasagam et al., 2007) that are comparable to the present study.
Anjur (2017) noted that, swordtail, X. helleri fry, fed with artemia showed better SGR
value over bloodworm and earthworm.
Mean FCR in different treatments of the present study ranged from 1.19- 1.72,
followed by the order T1 <T2 < T3. Lower FCR value indicates better feed quality thus X.
helleri needs to consume less amount of feed to attain growth. Mohanta and
Subramanian (2011) noted that, the FCR of X. helleri fish ranged from 1.48 to 2.15.
While, FCE values (0.97±0.070) were noted in X. helleri fed on a diet without probiotics
(Dharmaraj & Dhevendaran, 2010), which are somewhat similar to the present study.
However, Dharmaraj and Dhevendaran (2010) observed comparatively higher ranges
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Sultana et al. (2022)
of FCE of 1.42-2.27 in X. helleri fish fed on probiotics treated feed than in the FCE of the
present study (0.67-1.002). Comparatively better PER (1.52-2.10) in swordtail was also
observed by Mohanta and Subramanian (2011) than the PER of the present study
(0.054-0.125). Mohanta and Subramanian (2011) observed higher PER ranges (1.522.10) in swordtail, which was higher than the present study. The survival rate (%) of
swordtail fish ranged from 60- 89.67, with a higher order of T3 (86.67±3), followed by
T1 (80±5) and T2 (65±5). Better survival rates (%) were observed in groups X. helleri
fishes fed with artemia (100), followed by bloodworm (90), and earthworm (60) reported
by Anjur (2017) who assessed the effect of diverse natural diets on the growth and
survival of swordtail. The results of Radhika et al. (2007) reported higher survival in X.
helleri juveniles fed Chironomus larvae compared to other formulated feed. Tamaru et
al. (2001) reported a survival rate of swordtail (90.1%), which is close to the present
study.
3. Body composition analysis of red swordtail, X. helleri
The proximate compositions of fish are protein, moisture, fat, mineral, and
carbohydrates and variations in the proximate composition of fish which are closely
related to the feed intake (Boran & Karaçam, 2011). The present study estimated X.
helleri whole body composition explicitly moisture, protein, lipid, fiber, ash, and
nitrogen-free extract substances. The highest moisture content was found in T2
(68.46±1.09%), followed by T3 (68.16±1.64%) and T1 (65.96±3.12 %). The moisture
content of swordtail fish varied with feed type and ingredients (Radhika et al., 2007).
Moreover, it is evident that the moisture content of ornamental fishes differs with feed
treatment (Saghaei et al., 2015). The protein content was estimated as 15.078±0.55%,
13.427±0.224% and 13.127±0.49% in T1, T3, and T2, respectively. The variation in
protein content of X. helleri muscle is mainly due to the use of different feeds in different
treatments. The previous study found protein content in swordtail fish with ranges from
15.40% to 16.50% in different treatments after 50 days of feeding trial (Dharmaraj and
Dhevendaran, 2010). A significantly higher lipid content (%) was observed in the fishes
of T1 (4.24) <T3 (3.34) <T2 (2.59). The formulated feed contains a relatively higher level
of crude lipid, and fishes in T1 also contain higher lipid content that may be linked with
this. Increases in dietary lipid from 8% to 16% with the same protein level improved the
growth performance of swordtail fry (Ling et al., 2006). Dharmaraj and
Dhevendaran (2010) used various fiber contents (3.70-4.055%) in swordtail feed
and noted (1.95-2.97%) fiber contents in fish bodies. The non-significantly increased
ash content of X. hellerii was recorded in T1 (4.69±0.48%), T2 (4.201±0.33), and T3
(3.85±0.58%). The previous study also found ash content that differs from the dietary
feed intake of swordtail fish (Shu-Chien et al., 2004; Radhika et al., 2007). The NFE
content ranged from 7.775- 9.21 in three treatment groups of X. hellerii. The present
study confirms the previous study of Dharmaraj and Dhevendaran (2010) who found
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Feeding effect on growth and body composition of aquarium fish red swordtail
0.31% to 1.00% NFE content in swordtail fish muscles. This study observed higher body
composition of X. hellerii in the fishes of T1 because they were fed with a formulated diet
which contains 37.62% of CP and 10.61% of lipid. The present study agrees with that of
Mohanta and Subramanian (2011) who found that, 40% of CP and 10 % of lipid
increased the body composition of swordtail fish.
In the present study, the growth performance of X. helleri was lower in the T1
group, but the deposition rate of nutrients was higher in T 1 fish tissue. This is due to
the high percentage of nutrient content in diet 1 than in the other two diets.
Formulated feed (Diet 1) contained mustard oil cake, which may be responsible for lower
growth. Since mustard oil cake contains some anti-nutritional compounds, such as
glucosinolates and their breakdown products, phenolics and phytates, which hinder the
bioavailability of amino acids and minerals and depress fish growth (Naczk et al., 1992;
Dijkstra et al., 2003; Latif et al. 2008). Fish can utilize a certain level of dietary lipid
which depresses growth due to less feed consumption (Ellis & Reigh, 1991). In the
present study, the dietary fiber content in T1 was 11.92%, which exceeds the tolerance
limit (8%) and may be responsible for the declining growth in T1 fish. In this diet, rice
bran percent may be reduced to decrease the fiber level (NRC, 1993; FontainhasFernandes et al., 1999). Moreover, Diet 1 containing mustard oil cake may have some
negative effects on growth performance due to the presence of erucic acid (Sehwag &
Das, 2015). From the above results, it can be concluded that formulated feed can be a
good choice by considering the cost and availability of feed, but it needs to reduce the
lipid and protein content and ensure pre-treatment of feed ingredients (soaking and
autoclaving) to prevent the antinutritional component.
CONCLUSION
Based on the overall growth performance and whole-body proximate carcass
composition reflected that the red swordtail X. helleri has quite well habituated to all the
experimental diets (formulated and commercial feed) used in this research. Although
higher growth performance and nutrient utilization were noted in T3 (fast red feed),
followed by T2 (mega feed) and T1 (formulated feed). However, the better proximate
composition of whole- body carcass was noted in X. hellerii fed on formulated feed (T1),
followed by fast red feed (T3) and mega feed (T2) call further meaning full investigations
on suitable and cost-effective feed formulation for this ornamental fish. This study also
submits the necessity of executing further research on the physiological stress response,
analysis of blood parameters, and biochemical aspects of X. hellerii. In the end, it could
be anticipated that the results of the present study may contribute some initial benchmark
insight to pave the way for further research on feeding trial experiments of X. hellerii in
the context of tropical and subtropical areas of the world including Bangladesh.
Sultana et al. (2022)
1034
Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to the laboratory of Animal Nutrition at SAU,
Bangladesh for providing lab facilities, and acknowledging the Ministry of Science and
Technology, Bangladesh for funding the research.
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