Development of sustainable and practical feeds for the nursing of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry | |
| Author | Perera, Gamage Saman Champika |
| Call Number | AIT Diss no.AQ-22-01 |
| Subject(s) | Guppies--Development Guppies--Infancy Guppies--Feeding and feeds Feed additives |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a vital ornamental fish in Sri Lanka. However, feeding during the nursery phase solely depends on expensive and imported Artemia. Realizing the need for alternatives, a series of four experiments were conducted to develop commercial feeds incorporating different ingredients and feed additives, attempting to reduce the use of fishmeal by egg yolk, insect meals, and to enhance the pigmentation by micro-algae, and plant products. Experiment 1 was conducted by replacing the fishmeal with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of egg yolk powder. Fry fed with 10% egg yolk included diet exhibited statistically higher (p<0.05) growth than fry fed with other feeds and Artemia nauplii. All the tested diets did not affect pigmentation in fish but showed higher stress indices (p<0.05) than in the control group.Experiment 2 was conducted by replacing the fishmeal with House cricket (Acheta domestica) and Field cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meals at 50%, 75%, and 100%. Results showed that both the cricket meals could successfully replace fishmeal. However, pigmentation was significantly (p< 0.05) enhanced by G. bimaculatus. Experiment 3 was conducted, including Spirulina (5%), Chlorella (5%), and garlic (1%). Results showed that Spirulina enhanced (p<0.05) the growth while both Spirulina and Chlorella had positive (p<0.05) effects on pigmentation. Reproductive performance was enhanced (p<0.05) only by Spirulina. Experiment 4 was carried out, including 5% freeze-dried powders of Clitoria ternatea, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Carica papaya, and Beta vulgaris. Results showed that these additives did not affect (p>0.05) growth and reproductive performances. However, all the additives except C. papaya significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the pigmentation. In conclusion, Artemia can be successfully replaced by the economic formulated feeds. The egg yolk powder can enhance growth, and the commercial feeds should contain 48.3% fishmeal or field cricket meal, 18.5% soybean meal, and 11.8% egg yolk powder. Chlorella can be used as an economical colour enhancer, an alternative to Spirulina, but further research is needed to enhance stress tolerance. |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bhujel, Ram C. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Krishna, Salin;Loc, Thai Nguyen;Amonrat Sermwatanakul;Lin, Ooi Ei |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Council for Agricultural Research Policy, Sri Lanka |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |