Influence of Herbal Additives on The Growth and Disease Resistance of Goldfish, Carassius Auratus (linnaeus)

By : Nithiyapriyatharshini, A , B. Ahilan

Page No: 23-32

Abstract
Application of medicinal herbs in aquaculture is gaining success. The present investigation was designed to study the influence of three herbal additives viz., garlic, ashwagandha, and tulsi on the growth and disease resistance in goldfish, Carassius auratus. The experiment was conducted in the adult fishes for a period of 60 days. After the 60 days, fish of each treatment were challenged by pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila which was given by intraperitoneal injection and kept under observation for 10 days to record clinical signs and the daily mortality rates. Ashwagandha, at 1.0 per cent concentration yielded highest mean weight gain (2.346 g) and ranked first among the herbal additives tried followed by garlic which recorded a mean weight gain of 2.135 g at 1.0 per cent concentration. The highest survival rate (95 %) was observed in garlic fed group at 1.5 per cent concentration followed by tulsi (90%) at 1.5 per cent concentration. These results indicate that herbal additives supplement is promoting as an alternative method to antibiotics for disease prevention in goldfish farming.

Authors :
Ahilan, B.
Department of Inland Aquaculture, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi – 628 008, Tamilnadu, India.

Nithiyapriyatharshini, A
Research Assistant State Department Fisheries, Beach Road, Thoothukudi – 628 001.