Indian Journal of Animal Research
Year : 2007, Volume : 41, Issue : 1
First page : ( 62) Last page : ( 64)
Print ISSN : 0367-6722.

Efficacy of copper as a micronutrient for the fingerlings of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Gupta A.K., Singh C.

Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur-313 001, India.

Abstract

Dietary copper requirement for the fingerlings of Heteropneustes fossilis was evaluated using isocaloric purified diet, supplemented with graded levels of copper {i.e. 0 (control), 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mg/kg}. Significant growth parameters, viz., weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and gross conversion efficiency (GCE) were noted with lowest food conversion ratio (FCR) at a level of 3 mg Cu/kg diet. Fingerlings fed with Cu-deficient diet showed sign of sluggishness and poor growth with low specific growth rate, gross conversion efficiency and high food conversion ratio. Fingerlings fed with Cu-supplemented diets were found to improve protein, fat and carbohydrate contents. Significant RBC count in fingerlings was recorded at 3 mg Cu/kg diet.

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