Utilization of dietary protein, fat and carbohydrate by the paddy field fish (Macropodus cupanus: Anabantidae)

Abstract

Preferential utilization of protein, fat and carbohydrate by different weight classes of Macropodus cupanus was studied exposing the fish to algal, animal and combined feed. Consumption and conversion of protein and fat was maximum in the liver fed group. At maximum feeding the small fish converted carbohydrate, fat and protein at an efficiency of 9.45. 26.55 and 18.29% respectively. The efficiency of conversion decreased with increasing body weight. At all feeding schedules carbohydrate was converted more or less efficiently. The fish exposed to minimum animal feed or 100% algal feed utilized almost equal amount of stored protein cr fat for maintenance metabolism.

Influence of Acalypha indica supplemented diet on the feeding energetics and growth of fish Labeo rohita

“…The slight decrease in food consumption and assimilation may be due to the slow rate of feeding and digestion. The difference in food consumption and assimilation has also been observed by Mathavan and Christopher (1983) [16] and Fischer (1973) [9] by feeding animals with different food combinations.…”