DIETARY LIPID REQUIREMENT OF TINFOIL BARB (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii BLEEKER 1853) FINGERLINGS

Dietary lipids are important source of energy and essential fatty acids for fish. Moreover, dietary lipids act as carriers of nutrients such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. The addition of lipids to a diet also contributes to the effective utilization of dietary protein, through the protein sparing effect in fish. However, fish can utilize dietary lipids up to a certain level, beyond which growth may be suppressed. Currently, no published information on dietary lipid requirement of tinfoil barb. Knowledge on the lipid nutrition of this species will help in reducing feed and fish production cost and ensuring the sustainability and a means of future conservation of Barbonymus schwanenfeldii. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary lipid inclusion level for tinfoil barb. Four test diets containing increasing amounts of crude palm oil (0.4.8 and 12 % diet) were used. Triplicate groups of fish (2.99 + 0.05 g) were fed twice daily to satiation. Although the survival was unaffected by the lipid inclusion level, the specific growth rate, weight gain and protein efficiency ratio significantly increased (P < 0.05) as dietary lipid increased from 0% to 8%. A similar pattern was found for the whole body protein and lipid which was significantly lower in those fed 0% dietary lipid (P < 0.05). No significant was found among the treatments fed above 4% lipid for survival when challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. However, 0% lipid had a significantly higher mortality. The results indicated that tinfoil barb optimally utilized 7.15% dietary lipid level for best growth, body composition, feed utilization and immune response against Aeromonas hydrophila