International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2021, Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part C
Studies on effect of marine macro algae Enteromorpha intestinalis as skin color enhancer and as an alternative for fish meal in feed supplemented to ornamental fishes
Author(s): Monica Joicy C, Navitha, Arumugam P and Dr. Sivaraj C
Abstract: Dried powder of marine algae
Enteromorpha intestinalis has been found as a potent skin color enhancer and growth promoter in freshwater ornamental fishes. Juveniles of Guppies and Rosy barb 30 fishes (10 fishes in each glass bowl) were fed with macroalgae at 1%, 2% and 3% concentration level through fishmeal based supplementary diet for a period of 30 days. The study was an attempt to observe the responses of
Enteromorpha diet towards skin color development and muscle growth pattern of the culture species as well as the probable economic returns obtained from the experiment in order to commercialize the particular product in local aqua feed market. The desired level of macro algae administration produced animals with significantly (T<0.05) higher body weight. In general, the carotenoid-supplemented diets significantly increased the values of redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*), and decreased the values of lightness (L*) and hue (H
oab) on the tail, body, and head areas (
p<0.05) Beta carotene present in algae enhanced color in fishes (0.06%). An average weight gain of 25.56% and compared to control diet fed fishes (length-5.4cms) length of 7.8cms increase was obtained with inclusion of
Enteromorpha intestinalis in the diet which may be a direct consequence of hypertrophic muscle growth pattern observed in the species. The present findings thus indicate that macro algae may be used as a cost-effective natural pigment enhancer (alternative carotenoid source) as well as growth promoter in fish feeds for higher profitability, good color enhancement(carotenoid content of muscle was 0.179±0.1% whereas for control group of fishes carotenoid was 0.146±0.1%), better growth(initial body weight of 0.54± 0.14g and final body weight of 6.34±0.27g when compared to control group fishes initial body weight of 0.47 ±0.12g and final weight 4.23±0.12g)
DOI: 10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i2c.2453Pages: 201-205 | 1217 Views 565 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Monica Joicy C, Navitha, Arumugam P, Dr. Sivaraj C.
Studies on effect of marine macro algae Enteromorpha intestinalis as skin color enhancer and as an alternative for fish meal in feed supplemented to ornamental fishes. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2021;9(2):201-205. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i2c.2453