Effect of dietary supplementation of different rates of spirulina (spirulina platensis) on growth and feed conversion in guppy (Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1860)

Abstract

In this study, effect of dietary supplementation of different rates (10% Group B, 20% Group C, 30% Group D, 40% Group E) of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) on growth and feed conversion in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) was compared with a commercial stamp food (Group A). Fish fed 40% spirulina performed better than those fed lower levels. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences between the all groups in terms of average final weights (p>0.05). No significant differences were observed in specific growth rate, feed conversion rate and weight gain. However, there were significant differences in terms of feed conversion rate between groups (p<0.05) and it was the highest in Group E (1.090±0.044) and the lowest in Group A (2.312±0.071). Therefore, the best growth rate (1.933±0.009) and live weight gain (0.085±0.006) were recorded in Group E. As a result of the study, 40% spirulina supplementation in the diet for guppy has a positive effect on growth and feed conversion rates. © Medwell Journals, 2010.