Effect of Fiber Content in Practical Diet on Feed Utilization and Antioxidant Capacity of Loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fiber content on feeding, growth performance, feed utilization and antioxidant ability of Taiwanese loach. The experimental feeds were divided into six groups, with crude fiber contents of 4.70%, 4.92%, 5.15%, 5.44%, 5.79% and 6.06%, respectively. A total of 576 loaches were randomly divided into 6 groups with 8 replicates of twelve fish each, and fed for 60 days. The results showed that crude fiber levels had significant effects on feeding rate (FR), feed conversion rate (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in loaches, while specific growth rate (SGR) showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Crude fiber content had a significant effect on loach digestibility (P 0.05), while amylase activity decreased significantly (P<0.05). With increasing crude fiber content, MDA content in loach liver decreased significantly (P<0.05), while SOD activity did not change significantly. According to the current comprehensive evaluation, the appropriate crude fiber content in Taiwanese loach feed was 5.52% - 5.65%.