Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin C on the reproductive performance of female livebearing ornamental fish

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, AA) on reproductive performance of a freshwater ornamental species, the platy (Xiphophorus maculatus). Vitamin C was incorporated in fish feed at 6 different concentrations of 0.0 (A), 0.1 (B), 0.2 (C), 0.4 (D), 0.8 (E) and 1.6 (F) g Kg-1 of dry diet with 5% of their body weight daily in two split doses for a period of 20 weeks. Results indicated that Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), fry production and relative fecundity were significantly higher in group F as compared to the control group (A) and other experimental groups (p 0.05). The results also showed that the percentage of deformed fry was significantly lower in experimental groups (except the group B) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the highest and lowest fry survival (%) were observed in group F and A, respectively. Collectively, this study showed that female broodstocks benefit from inclusion of vitamin C in diet during their reproductive stages. © Medwell Journals, 2011.