Effects of pigments from different sources on colour changes and growth of red Oreochromis niloticus

• Published in: Aquaculture Vol. 79; no. 1; pp. 375 - 380
• Main Authors: Boonyaratpalin, Mali, Unprasert, Nanthiya
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 1989; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing; DIET; DIETA; EFFICACITE ALIMENTAIRE; EFICIENCIA DE CONVERSION DEL PIENSO; FEED CONVERSION EFFICIENCY; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GROWTH; Oreochromis niloticus; PIGMENT; PIGMENTOS; PIGMENTS; REGIME ALIMENTAIRE; SUPERVIVENCIA; SURVIE; SURVIVAL; TILAPIA; TILAPIA (GENRE); Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Freshwater environment; Vertebrata; Oreochromis niloticus; Diet; Growth; Pisces; Color; Pisciculture; Development; Pigments
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/0044-8486(89)90479-1

The investigation was aimed at determining the effect of different pigment sources on colour development, growth, feed conversion and survival of red tilapia. Four pigment sources were used: spirulina, Toreador marigold petal meal, shrimp head meal and turmeric. These pigments were added to the basal diet at 10%, 5%, 15% and 5%, respectively, and fed to red tilapia for 8 weeks. Fish fed with spirulina, marigold petal meal, shrimp head meal, turmeric and basal diet alone showed single red, golden flame, flame, orange and orange coloration, respectively. The snout and base of the fins of fish fed marigold petal meal developed temple yellow coloration. Growth was stimulated by shrimp head meal and inhibited by turmeric. Feed conversion was not significantly different from the basal diet except for the diet with turmeric added. Survival rate was essentially equal for all test diets and not significantly different from the basal diet.