Effect of Marigold Flower and Beetroot Meals on Growth Performance, Carcass Composition, and Total Carotenoids of Snow Trout (Schizothorax richardsonii)

Abstract

A 60-day experiment was carried out to elucidate the effect of marigold (Tagetes erecta) flower and beetroot (Beta vulgaris) meals on growth performance, carcass composition, and total carotenoids of snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii. Two hundred and seventy fingerlings (9.19±0.29 g) were randomly distributed into nine treatments in triplicate (10 fish per tank). Nine isonitrogenous (35.25±0.9% crude protein) diets were prepared with graded levels (3%, 5%, 7%, 10%) of either marigold flower meal or beetroot meal; the control diet contained neither marigold flower nor beetroot meal. Weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly (p<0.05) higher in fish fed the diet containing 10% beetroot meal than in those fed the control diet. Body carotenoid was significantly enhanced (p<0.05) by the dietary supplements and increased linearly with the increase of marigold flower meal (Y = 0.532x + 1.126, R2 = 0.9803) and beetroot meal (Y = 0.491x + 1.341, R2 = 0.9376). Results indicate that inexpensive and readily available natural carotenoid sources such as marigold flower and beetroot meals can be incorporated into diets for S. richardsonii to enhance pigmentation and ornamental value.