EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITION OF SWORDTAIL DIFFERENT FEEDS ON GROWTH AND BODY PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SWORDTAIL FISH (Xiphophorus helleri BODY PROXIMATE Xiphophorus helleri)

Abstract

The present study investigated to know the effect of different feeds on growth and body proximate composition of swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri). Homogeneous groups of swordtail fish fry of 30 day old (0.05±0.001g; 1.68±0.016 cm) were fed different diet (formulated feed, mega feed, fast red feed), twice a day. The feeding experiment continued for a period of 100 day in Aquaculture laboratory, Department of Aquaculture, Sylhet Agricultural University from 22 June to 30 September 2015. The experimental observation carried out at 20 day intervals. The growth performance and body proximate composition were observed in different treated groups. Results indicated that final weight (2.05±0.100g), final length (5.71±0.130cm), weight gain (2.00±0.107g), Percent Weight Gain (4013.33±2140%), average daily weight gain (0.02±0.001 g/day), PER (0.12±0.005) and survival rate (86.67±3%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 than T1 and T2. Specific growth rate (3.72%/day) and FCE (0.99±0.032) were significantly higher (P<0.01) in T3 than T1 and T2 treatment. Lipid percentage was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 (4.24±0.08%) than other treated groups. Percentage of protein and ash content (15.078±0.55 % and 4.69±0.48 % respectively) was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T1. Fiber content (3.047±0.18 %) was found highest in T3. The moisture percentage and NFE was not significantly (P>0.05) different among all the three treatments. All the water quality parameters under three treatments were in suitable range for culture throughout the study period. Formulated feed contained high level of lipid, glucosinolate, erucic acid and rice bran which depressed growth of swordtail fish. It can be recommended that if the lipid level is kept below or equal to 6%, a soaking treatment is given to mustard oilcake to remove the growth inhibitor glucosinolate, and autoclaving of rice bran to inactivate growth depressing factors, then the formulated feed may be a good one considering cost.