Growth Performance of Advanced Fry of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes) Fed with Cocoa Pod Husk Powder Incorporated Diet

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to find out the efficacy of cocoa pod husk incorporated feed in the diet of grass carp as protein substitute. Seven isonitrogenous diets were prepared with proportion of cocoa pod husk powder varying from 0 to 30%, replacing fish meal. The diets were fed to advanced fry of grass carp in three replicates. Growth performance was assessed by using indicators such as net weight gain, weight increment per day, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and appar- ent digestibility coefficient. Net weight gain, weight increment per day and protein efficiency ratio were higher for diet containing 25% cocoa pod husk powder. Percentage weight gain and specific growth rate were higher for diet containing 15% and 25% cocoa pod husk powder. The results revealed that the inclusion of cocoa pod husk powder upto 25% could promote the growth of advanced fry of grass carp better than the control diet with 40% fish meal.