Use of Potato as an Alternative Source of Carbohydrate in Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Fish Feed

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the potentiality of potato as an alternative source of carbohydrate in fish feed and its effect on the growth performance, glucose level and survivability of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The experiment was designed into four treatments with three replications in each including control T₁ (feed without rice bran and potato), T₂ (feed with rice bran), T₃ (feed with raw potato) and T₄ (feed with boiled potato). Tilapia fry (average 6.27±0.07 g) were randomly distributed in each treatment as 40 fish per 300L tank and feed with experimental diets (protein 35%). Significantly higher (P<0.05) survival rate of the fishes were observed in T₄ (85%) followed by T₂ (72.5%), T₃ (57.5%) and T₁ (47.5%). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower in T₄ (2.76) compared to T₂ (2.89) T₃ (3.2) and T₁ (3.93). Specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₄ (3.11%) followed by T₂ (2.94%), T₃ (2.85%) and T₁ (2.68%). Higher (P<0.05) condition factor (CF) was also observed in T₄ (3.19) compared to T₂ (2.85), T₃ (2.77) and T₁ (2.64). Higher glucose level was found in T₄ (P<0.05) compared to T₂, T₃ and T₁. The water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate were not significantly (P>0.05) differed among the treatments. The results indicated that boiled potato treated feed would be effective as energy rich growth promoter in tilapia culture. However, further investigation is needed in farm condition adding varying levels of potato in feed.

Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2019) 23(1) : 79-89