Utilization of Azolla and Vallisneria as ingredients in the diet for endangered peninsular carp Hypselobarbus pulchellus (Day, 1870)

A 60 days growth trial was conducted with fry of Hypselobarbus pulchellus for evaluating the effect of incorporation of two aquatic plants Azolla microphylla and Vallisneria spiralis at 30, 60 and 90% levels in the diet on growth and survival. The fry (average weight 23.07 ± 0.96 mg and average length 1.57 ± 0.24 cm) were stocked at 12 numbers per tank and fed to satiation with one of the experimental diets (three diets each with azolla and vallisneria) or a control diet. Water quality parameters analysed at fortnightly intervals did not show significant difference between treatments (p > .05). The mean final weight of fish reduced in groups fed diets with azolla and vallisneria incorporated beyond 60% and 30% respectively (p < .05). While the mean final length of fish fed azolla diets did not differ among the treatments, it gradually reduced in groups fed diets with increasing levels of vallisneria incorporation (p > .05). The condition factor and survival did not vary between treatments (p > .05). The study indicates the possible incorporation of azolla up to 60% and vallisneria up to 30% as feed ingredients in the diet for H. pulchellus during fingerling raising.