Effect of different levels of aqua-max plus® on growth performance, feed efficiency and physiological responses of the mono-sex nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, l. 1758)

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effect of different levels of Aqua-Max Plus® on growth performance, feed efficiency, body chemical composition, hematological, and biochemical of the mono-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L. 1758) for 147 days (21 weeks). Aqua-Max Plus® was added at five levels (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 g/kg diet). Results exhibited that the addition of Aqua-Max Plus® at levels 2, 3, and 4 g/kg diet (T3, T4, and T5) led to significantly improve the growth performance and feed efficiency parameters compared to the control group. By increasing the levels of Aqua- Max Plus®, ash and protein contents were significantly increased, while fat and energy content contents were decreased. No significant differences among treatments in hematological and serum biochemical parameters were detected. Thus, based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the beneficial addition of 2 g Aqua-Max Plus®/kg diet as a growth promoter agent for the Nile tilapia.