EVALUATIONS OF BODY COMPOSITION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE BY APPLYING DIFFERENT DIETARY VITAMIN C LEVELS IN ASIAN CATFISH, CLARIAS BATRACHUS (LINNAEUS, 1758)

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of high dietary ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on growth performance and body composition of a commercially important Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus. During experimental trial in the laboratory condition, the change in growth and feed utilization by the Clarias batrachus  fed on three different Vitamin C level have been assessed by the determination of survival rate (SR), specific growth rate (SGR%), condition factor (K), feed conversion ratio (FCR),  average daily gain (ADG) and protein efficiency ratio(PER). All the water quality parameters specifically- Temperature (  ), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and pH in the plastic tanks were highly monitored and maintained. The highest food conversion ratio (FCR) was found in the treatment 1 while the lowest was measured in treatment 3. The values of protein efficiency ratio (PER), condition factor, average daily gain (ADG) and specific growth rate(SGR) were highest in treatment 3 and lowest in treatment 2 and treatment 1 respectively. Result of the current study showed that supplementation of Vitamin C at 1200 mg/kg feed had significant positive effects on the FCR, SGR, ADG, PER while no such differences were observed in condition factor variables. The fish Diet C containing 1200 mg/ kg of Vitamin C level has been found to be more effective for better growth of the Clarias batrachus.