Effect of Dietary Carotenoids Sources on Growth and Skin Color of Red- and White-colored Fancy Carp Cyprinus carpio var. koi

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carotenoids sources on growth and skin color of red-and white-colored fancy carp Cyprinus carpio var. koi. Nine experimental diets (designated as Con, CP, PA, SP, OP, MB, TO, BE and PO) were formulated to contain Carophyll Pink, red paprika, Spirulina, Opuntia, mandarin bark, tomato, beet and Porphyra, respectively. Each experimental diet was fed to two replicate groups of fish (22.9 g/ fish) to visual satiation three times a day for 8 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency of fish fed the diets containing Spirulina or Opuntia were higher than those of fish fed the control diet (P<0.05). The values of a * , L * and b * of fish skin were significantly changed by dietary carotenoids sources (P<0.05). The a * values of fish fed the diets containing Carophyll Pink, red paprika and Spirulina were higher than those of fish fed other diets (P<0.05). The skin total carotenoids of fish fed the diets containing Spirulina and Opuntia were higher than those of others (P>0.05). Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that dietary inclusion of red paprika and Spirulina pacifica could increase the skin redness of red-and white-colored fancy carp.