Leaf protein concentrate in feeding mirror carp [cyprinus carpio L] in intensive culture

ABSTRACT

Fingerlings of mirror carp [Cyprinus carpio L.] were allotted in nine groups [2 tanks/group] and fed on nine different diets contained fish meal protein replaced by 0, 10, 20, 30 and 50% protein of leaf protein concentrate [LPC] from berseem [Trifolium alex and rinum] or water hyacinth [Eichhorinia crassipes] in one feeding experiment for 86 days. The results showed that replacing of fish meal protein by 10, 20 and 30% protein from LPC of berseem and water hyacinth, resulted in an increase in feed intake, body weight gain, specific growth rate [SGR%] and better efficiency of feed utilization by mirror carp. However, the higher levels of replacement [50%] decreased feed intake, growth performance and feed utilization. The differences between the two tested LPCs were not significant. It was recommended that the use of LPC from berseem and water hyacinth could replace about 30% of the fish meal and optimum level for replacement in the diet of mirror carp reared in intensive culture