Effect of dietary intake of acid ensiled fish waste on the growth, feed utilization, hematology and serum biochemistry of rohu (Labeo rohita, (Hamilton, 1822)) fingerlings

Abstract

Acid ensilage was prepared from the gut and gills of freshwater carps. Isonitrogenous diets containing 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% acid ensilage was fed to rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings to study the effect on the growth performance, feed utilization, blood biochemistry and hematology of the fingerlings. The results of the study for 60 days indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) in the weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), percentage survival and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in L. rohita fingerlings by the dietary intake of acid ensilage. The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter and protein was significantly higher (p<0.05) for feed with 10% silage. Dietary intake of acid ensilage resulted in significantly higher (p<0.05) fat and protein in the tissues of the fingerlings. In blood hematology, total leucocyte count in the blood of fishes fed acid fish ensilage was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). Significant increase (p<0.05) in total serum protein was observed in 2.5% silage and 5% silage fed fishes. The serum glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol was not altered significantly by the intake of acid ensilage. The inclusion of fish silage at 5% level resulted in a 14.31% reduction in feed cost/kg weight gain in rohu fingerlings.