• Effects of Turmeric Powder as a Supplement on Growth and Survival Rate of Mixed Sex Oreochromis andersonii (Three Spotted Bream)

    Sauti Kalima1, Jere W. L.2, Lweendo M3, Iseki Justin4

    1. Department of Fisheries, Chipata Aquaculture Research Station, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chipata, Zambia.
    2. Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, Africa Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries (AquaFish ACE), Faculty of Natural Resources, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi.
    3. Department of Fisheries, Chipata Aquaculture Research Station, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chipata, Zambia.
    4. Department of Fisheries, Chipata Aquaculture Research Station, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chipata, Zambia.

    Abstract: Feed contributes 60 to 70 percent of the cost of fish production. Using feed additives is one technique to improve feed efficiency. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can boost meal absorption and stimulate fish appetite. The goal of this research was to see how turmeric affected mixed sex Oreochromis andersonii development and survival. Mixed sex Oreochromis andersonii fry were grown in 1m x 1m hapas with a stocking density of 20 individuals/m2 in the current study, with2g/kg feed and without turmeric. The treatment and the control were replicated thrice. The treatment and control groups were tested twice, once every fortunate. The results showed that O. andersonii with the addition of turmeric gave Final Mean Weight (FMW), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and  Apparent Feed Conventional Ratio (FCR), which were 4.78g, 2.16g/day and 1.67 respectively and were higher than without the addition of turmeric. The survival rate of Oreochromis andersonii with the addition of turmeric and without the addition of turmeric was 83 and 86%, respectively. It can be concluded that the addition of turmeric at 2g/kg-1 feed can increase the growth of Oreochromis andersonii and survival rate above 80%.

    Key words: Feed Additives, Oreochromis andersonii, mixed sex.

    Pages: 27 – 32 | Full PDF Paper