Zootechnical performance and somatic parameters of common carp fed with Azolla caroliniana

• Autor(a) principal: Rosa, Guilherme Masteloto da
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Camargo, Antonio Cleber da Silva, Pretto, Alexandra, Ferrigolo, Fernanda Rodrigues Goulart, Kuroda, Caroline Naomi, Stefanello, Cristiano Miguel, Bender, Ana Betine Beutinger
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Caderno de Ciências Agrárias (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/ccaufmg/article/view/15931
• topic: Macrófita; Ingrediente alternativo; Nutrientes; Cyprinus carpio; Crescimento; Macrophyte; Alternative ingredient; Nutrients; Cyprinus carpio; Growth

Aquatic macrophytes like Azolla caroliniana can be included in the fish diet as they are a source of nutrients (proteins, amino acids, minerals, lipids, cell wall fractions and polyphenols) that can act as a dietary supplement. Thus, the objective was to evaluate two levels of A. caroliniana inclusion in common carp diets by evaluating zootechnical performance parameters and somatic indices in fish. Seventy-two common carp juveniles were randomly distributed in nine 0.227 m3 net cages. The juveniles were fed for five weeks with the control diets (without inclusion of A. caroliniana) and diets with inclusion of 5 or 10% A. caroliniana. At the end of this period, the final weight, final total length, condition factor and apparent feed conversion of juveniles did not differ between treatments. However, the average daily gain (P=0.048), relative weight gain (P=0.012) and specific growth rate (P=0.011) were higher in the control treatments (26.2, 31.3 and 24.5%, respectively) and with inclusion of 5% A. caroliniana (44.8, 49.5 and 37.7%, respectively) in relation to those fed with 10% A. caroliniana in the diet. Regarding the somatic indices, no significant differences were observed between treatments for any of the evaluated parameters. Thus, due to the high content of insoluble fiber present in this macrophyte, it is recommended that it be included in a maximum of 5% of the common carp diet so as not to impair animal performance.