EVALUATION OF NATURAL ZEOLITE (CLINOPTILOLITE) AS A FEED ADDITIVE IN NILE TILAPIA FISH DIETS AND ITS INFLUENCES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, GENETIC

TRAITS AND FISH HEALTH

Ibrahim H. Ibrahim1*, Ahmed F. Fath El-Bab2

and Mohamed T. Shehab El-Din3

1Fish Genetics & Breeding Department, 2Fish Production Department, 3Sakha Aquaculture Research Unit, Fish Diseases Department.

Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research, Abbassa, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt.

*Corresponding Author: (Ibrahim Hassan Ibrahim) E. Mail address: [email protected]

Received 16/ 3/ 2016

Accepted 24/ 4/ 2016

Abstract

Natural zeolites are a group of minerals used as a source of feed and treatment of ammonia in fish culture ponds. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) as a feed additive in fish diets on growth performance, genetic traits and health status of freshwater Nile tilapia fish
(Oreochromis niloticus L.). Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) was added to Nile tilapia diet at concentrations of 1%, 2% and 3% per 1kg diet which represent three treatments. Eight ponds (½ feddan each) were stocked by O.niloticus in two replicates for each treatment (6000 fish/pond). The control is artificial feeding without zeolite, T1, T2, and T3 artificial feeding with 1%, 2%, and 3% zeolite, respectively. The experimental period lasted up to 20 weeks (140 dayes). In this work, the second treatment (2% zeolite) recorded the highest values for whole body weight (BW), body length (BL) and specific growth rate (SGR), while the third treatment recorded the highest values of condition factor (K). The highest values of daily weight gain (DWG) was recorded in both T2 and T3. The highest values for protein and fat contents were recorded in T2, while control recorded the highest values for dry matter and ash contents. Fish body weight and length have been evaluated also as an important economic traits through estimation of correlation factor between them. Therefore, the most important factor, that affects production in ponds culture after feeding and water quality, is the quality of fish genetic sources. Some specimens of the control group showed hyperplasia of the epidermis, torn fins and hemorrhagic dermis. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that feeding Nile tilapia on artificial feed containing crude protein (25%) contained 2% zeolite leads to an increase in growth performance of Nile tilapia and survival rates in addition to economic efficiency for total yeild. So, 2% zeolite could be add within the artificial feed for tilapia fish.

Keywords: Natural zeolite, Clinoptilolite, Nile tilapia fish, Oreochromis niloticus, Feed additive, Growth performance, Genetic traits, Fish health