The effects of different carotenoid sources on skin pigmentation of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different carotenoid sources on goldfish (Carassius auratus) skin pigmentation. The value of goldfish depends on the intensity of the skin color. In the red variety of goldfish, an orange-red hue is desirable. Juvenile goldfish were fed one of five diets for five months to determine the effects of carotenoids on skin pigmentation, growth, feed efficiency, and survival: (1) astaxanthin (carophyll pink at 75 mg/kg), (2) canthaxanthin (carophyll red at 75 mg/kg), (3) Gammarus spp. (75 mg/kg), (4) Oleoresin paprika (180 mg/kg), and (5) an unsupplemented control. Growth and feed efficiency did not significantly differ among groups. Initial and final samples of head skin were measured by colorimetric analysis for lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), hue (Hoab), and chroma (Cab*). The best red color (a* and Hoab) was obtained with the astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and paprika diets.