Growth and feed utilization of grass carp fingerlings.

Abstract

Fingerlings of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.), were fed on terrestrial
grass (Echinochola colonum, Lursia hexandra, Brachiaria mutica,
Pennisetum sp.) and tree leaves (Parkia roxburghii, Litsaea polyantha) in the
laboratory for forty days. Growth and feed consumption of the fish showed significant
(P<0.01) variation with the type of feed. Maximum gain in average
weight per individual was obtained with Brachiaria (2.6±0.2g) followed by
Pennisetum (2.0±0.4g) among grass and with Litsaea (1.8±0.3g) among tree leaves
for an average dry matter intake of 5.37, 4.98 and 4.81g respectively. Fecal
output of the fishes on feeding with these forages varied between 43.2 and 70.1%
of the average dry matter intake. Digestibility of protein, lipid and available
carbohydrate was maximum for Brachiaria (61.31, 78.10 and 61.31% respectively)
followed by Pennisetum (60.10, 75.89 and 59.94% respectively). Lowest
feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained for Brachiaria (2.06) followed by
Pennisetum (2.49) and Litsaea (2.67) indicating efficient conversion of these into
body weight by the fishes. Survival was 100% on feeding with Brachiaria