Growth Performance of Pangasius Pangasius Fed Fresh Water Atyid Shrimp (Caridina Nilotica) Based Diets

Abstract- Good nutrition in animal production systems is essential to economically produce a healthly, high quality product. In fish farming, nutrition is critical because feed represents 40-50% of the production costs. Though fish meal continues to be the major source of animal protein in aquafeeds, it is expensive, besides becoming increasingly scarce. Much work is being taken up to identify, evaluate and utilize viablealternatives for fishmeal in aquafeeds.

The present study was taken us to eavaluate the fresh water shrimp, caridina nilotica in formulated feeds for the pangasiis, Pangasius pangasius. In this scenario there is a high scope for the utilization of weed shrimp Caridina nilotica as a replacement of fish meal either fully or partially. Five different levels of incorporation were assessed viz., 10,20, 30, 40 and 50%. The control diet was devoid of caridina meal, while the 50% inclusion diet was fish meal free. Overall protein content of the diets was around 40%. The study was conducted for 60 days, in indoor cement cisterns. Completely randomized design was adopted for the study. Each diet was tried in triplicate. The growth response was the highest in 20% diet and the lowest in the 40% inclusion diet. The best percentage (%) feed conversion efficiency and food conversion ratio were recorded in fish fed the 20% inclusion diet. Water quality was monitored at regular intervals, over the period of study and was found to be within acceptable limits. Survival was not affected by caridina meal incorporation in the diets. Statistical analysis of the experimental data showed significant difference in growth between different treatments. The results indicate that caridina meal is more suited as substitute for fish meal at lower levels of incorporation, upto 20% level inclusion level. Higher levels of incorporation led to reduced growth response.