Effect of Dietary Iron Levels on Growth, Body Composition and Enzyme Activities of Rohu (Labeo Rohita Hamilton) Advanced Fingerlings

Abstract

The iron requirement study was conducted in Labeorohita advanced  fingerlings for 67-day. Casein, gelatin and dextrin-based six isonitrogenous purified diets were formulated with graded levels of iron (as FeSO₄.7H₂O) viz., Group 1 (0 ppm; Control), Group 2 (25 ppm), Group 3 (50 ppm), Group 4 (75 ppm), Group5 (100 ppm) and Group 6 (125 ppm). The results indicated that net weight gain, specific growth rate, daily growth coefficient and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group 3 (fed 50 ppm iron).The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in group 3. The activities ofaspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase weresignificantly (P<0.05) higher in group 3. The carcass composition of advanced rohu fingerlings revealed that carcass protein wassignificantly (P<0.05) higher in group 3 (50 ppm iron). The present study indicated that 50 ppm dietary iron is required for Labeorohitaadvanced fingerlings for optimum growth and tissue iron deposition.