Zootechnical performance, disease resistance and economic efficiency of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus fed Terminalia arjuna bark-supplemented diets

Arjuna bark powder (ABP) is recognized for its rich bioactive compounds and potent medicinal properties, emerging as a valuable feed additive in aquaculture due to its potential to improve fish health and well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of various levels of dietary ABP inclusion on the growth performance, whole-body biochemical composition, blood chemistry, liver health, disease resistance, and economic performance of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (initial weight: 3.00 ± 0.02 g and length: 4.51 ± 0.01 cm). Four isonitrogenous (35 % crude protein) and isocaloric (9 % crude lipid) diets were prepared by incorporating ABP at 0 % (control, D1), 1 % (D2), 2 % (D3), and 3 % (D4), and were fed to triplicate groups of fish (n = 360) for 56 days. The feed physical properties did not show any significant variations across the dietary groups (p > 0.05), except for water stability. Fish diets with 1 and 2 % ABP had significantly higher palatability compared to other dietary groups (p < 0.05). Attractability was noted significantly higher in the 1 % ABP diet (p < 0.05). Zootechnical parameters in terms of final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, live weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, and visceral somatic index were significantly improved in the D2 diet fed fish group (p < 0.05). Carcass composition showed that crude lipid content was reduced in higher level of ABP (p < 0.05), while crude protein, ash, and moisture did not exhibit any variations (p > 0.05). The mean values of white blood cell, neutrophil, and red blood cell were markedly enhanced in the D2 and D3 fish groups (p < 0.05). The levels of glucose, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and cholesterol were significantly higher in the control fish (p < 0.05). The D2 fed fish showed an improved liver health. The percent survival was the highest in the D2 group (76.67 %), while control fish had the lowest survival (30 %) when challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Economic efficiency was significantly enhanced in the D2 group when compared to other dietary treatments (p < 0.05). Overall, incorporating ABP up to 1 % (D2) in fish diets demonstrated better growth and health performance, disease resistance and economic efficiency.