Phytogenic Feed Additive (PFA) Improved Survival and Growth of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Fry During Subsequent Nursing

By : Lumpan Poolsawat , Ram C. Bhujel , Rui A. Gonçalves

Page No: 413-425

Abstract
A two-stage trial was conducted to examine the efficacy of an experimental phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on Nile tilapia fry. Four doses of the phytogenic products 0 (control), 0.5 (low), 1.0 (medium) and 1.5g/kg feed (high) were tested in triplicate. A total of 1,200 fry (6.4±5.8mg) were stocked in 12 aquaria each and fed five times a day for 21 days. The fry were nurse further in aquaria and hapas-pond for another 21 days. Randomly sampled 300 fry from each aquarium were transferred to each of the 12 hapas. Another 300 fry from the same aquaria were transferred to clear water plastic tanks. During the 21-day feed treatment, fry survival was not affected by PFA. However, during subsequent nursing in hapa-in-pond system, 7% higher fry survival was found at 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg diet compared with control, and in aquaria, 1.27mg/kg diet of PFA dose was determined for highest survival.

Authors :
Ram C. Bhujel and Lumpan Poolsawat
Aqua-Centre, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand

Rui A. Gonçalves
BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Erber Campus 1 3131 Getzersdorf, Austria.