Effect of Dietary Anthocyanin on Survival and Growth Performance of Freshwater Ornamental Fishes Reared in Saline Environment

Objectives: The present work is to understand the influence of anthocyanin pigment (dried fruit peel powder of Syzygium cumini) incorporated diet on survivability, growth performance and maturation of ornamental fish species from three different families i.e., Xiphophorus maculatus (Platy), Pethia conchonius (Rosy Barb), and Maylandia lombardoi (Cichlid) reared in freshwater and saline medium (3ppt) for benefit in culture practice. Methods: 40 test fish each of three species were selected with initial average weight and distributed in 30L fiberglass aquaria as three replicas each in FW (freshwater) and SW (saltwater) with temp-25.3 0.03, DO-4.8 0.05 under standard aeriated system. The fish were fed twice a day viz., F1 (control) and F2 (0.25%), F3 (0.5%) and F4 (1% of dietary fruit peel powder of S.cumini) for a period of 60 days. Findings: 100% survivability was observed in all fish species from both FW and SW treatment, when fed with control (F1) and experimental diet (F2 to F4). F4 diet incorporated with highest concentration of anthocyanin pigment induced significant (P>0.05) improvement in BWG, SGR, FCR and CF in cichlid fish group reared in FW and when treated with SW compared to control and those fed with F2 and F3. Consequently, better growth was observed in FW fishes more so in cichlid compared to platy and rosy barb fish species. Minimum FCR values (P>0.05) were also noted in cichlid fish group fed with F4 indicating maximum utilization of feed when treated with FW compared to SW fishes followed by those fed with F3, F2 and F1. Novelty: The use of S. cumini as dietary administration of anthocyanin pigment induced good growth in freshwater fishes and limited the detrimental effects caused by stress of salinity exposure in fishes. Keywords: S. cumini, BWG, SGR, FCR, CF, Ornamental fish