Growth and pigmentation of goldfish (carassius auratus l, 1758) fed on a diet supplemented with purslane (portulaca sp.) extract

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the purslane extract on growth and pigmentation of goldfish (Carassius auratus L, 1758). The study was carried out with 4 experimental groups of which composed of control (0%, T0) and different amount of purslane plant extracts (3%, T3; 6%, T6; 9%, T9) and each group had 3 replicates. The fish with an average live weight of 2.55±0.08 g were selected randomly from a fish stock of 250 fish and were 13 fish were placed in each aquarium (15 L). The growth, survival and coloring parameters were determined at the end of 60th day of the study. The best growth parameters were recorded in the T9 group. The best weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversation ratio values occurred at 0.815 g, 0.462 % and 0.86, respectively were observed in the group fed with 9% of purslane extract. The survival rate parameters indicated no death in any experimental group of goldfish fry. The purslane extract had a positive effect on coloring, and the highest pigmentation for goldfish was obtained in T6 and T9 (Hue (Hab) angle values (86.73±0.32 and 77.64±0.47, respectively). The results revealed that purslane extract had a positive effect on the growth and coloring parameters of goldfish. The results recorded in this study can be used database in aquaculture for future studies carried out in aquaculture.