EFFECTS OF DIETARYASTAXANTHIN SUPPLEMENT ON GROWTH AND COLOR OF KOICARP (Cyprinus Carpio)

Abstract

The study was conducted in order to find the astaxanthin content suitable for growth and color of Koi carp. The fish in the experiment with the length of 7.87 - 7.90cm and weight of 8.46–8.52g were set up in 4 treatments with 4 astaxanthin levels:0 mg (NT1), 55 mg (NT2), 65 mg (NT3), 75 mg /kg(NT4) food with 3  replicates. The results showed that environmental factors such as temperature, pH, N-NH3 and N-NO2 were within the suitable range for growth and color of Koi fish. Survival rate ranged from 46.67 to 66.67% (p> 0.05). Growth in length (15.26 - 15.55 cm) and weight (47.31 - 48.39 g) did not differ significantly between treatments (p> 0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) between treatments was not different. The fish color index in NT3 was significantly higher than the others.  Therefore, the content of 65 mg/ kg of food resulted in best color of Koi fish.