Evaluation of Dried Aquatic Weed,Pistia stratiotes,Meal as a Feedstuff in Pelleted Feed for Rohu,Labeo rohita,Fingerlings

A 70-day replicated experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions at 29-33°C to evaluate the suitability of dried aquatic weed, Pistia stratiotes, meal in the pelleted feed of Lubeo rohita fingerlings. Four experimental diets incorporating dried aquatic weed meal at 15, 30, 45, and 60% levels into a fish-mealbased control diet were formulated. Ihe protein content of the test diets ranged from 22% to 35%. Best performance of fish in terms of growth, feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio, and protein and lipid deposition in the muscle was recorded with the diet containing 15% weed meal. The fish performed better with the diets containing weed meal up to the 45% level. Fish fed diets containing higher levels of weed meal showed poor growth, feed conversion, and protein utilization. The results indicate it is possible to include the dried meal of P. stratiotes in pelleted feed (up to 45% level) for Indian major carp.