Substitution of fishmeal with groundnut meal and its effect on growth, feed conversion efficiency, carcass composition and digestive enzyme activity of fingerling Labeo rohita

Abstract

The effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with groundnut meal (GNM) in the diets of Labeo rohita fingerling (6.32 ± 0.38 cm; 2.36 ± 0.02 g) were evaluated by conducting an 8-week feeding trial. The diets with 18 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy and 35% crude protein were prepared by gradually replacing FM with GNM on a protein-to-protein basis at levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Diets were fed to different groups near apparent satiation. No evident effect was noted by the replacement of FM with GNM up to 40% on live weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein retention efficiency and whole-body carcass composition. Digestive enzyme activities were not affected up to 40% FM replacement (P > 0.05) but declined significantly at 60%, 80% and 100% replacement (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that FM can be substituted by GNM up to 40% in formulating nutritionally balanced, cost-effective commercial feeds for Labeo rohita fingerling without hampering growth performance, feed utilization and carcass quality.