Effects of Marigold (Tagetes erecta) and Synthetic Carotenoid on Growth Performance and Skin Coloration of Blue Streak Hap (Labidochromis caeruleus) and Pindani (Pseudotropheus socolofi) Fry (Cichlidae)

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the ideal dosages of marigold(Tagetes erecta) and synthetic carotenoid in blue streak hap(Labidochromis caeruleus) and pindani (Pseudotropheus socolofi)fry (Cichlidae), and to compare effects on the growth and skincoloration. In the first experiment, the blue streak hap and pindani fryfed with different levels of water-soluble marigold flower meal (0, 2,4, 6, 8, 10 and 12%) were tested for 30 days to find the optimum skincoloration and growth parameters. Then, in the experiment, the mosteffective doses of water-soluble marigold flower meal (2, 4, 8%)which obtained from the first experiment were compared with thedifferent synthetic carotenoid dosages (50, 100 and 150 mg kg-1) for30 days. At the end of the first experiment, weight gain and the skincoloration degrees for both fish species were increased significantlyby supplementation of 4% water-soluble marigold flower mealsupplemented diet (P