Journal of Environmental Biology

Different carbon sources influences the growth and digestive enzyme activity of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) in biofloc based nursery rearing system

H. Haridas¹, N.K. Chadha²*, P.B. Sawant², A.D. Deo³, M.P. Ande⁴, K. Syamala⁴, R. Sontakke⁵ and S.S. Lingam⁶ 

¹Division of Fisheries science, ICAR-Central Island Agriculture Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar-744 101, India

²Division of Aquaculture, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Yari Road, Versova, Andheri, Mumbai-400 061, India

³Division of Fish Nutrition Biochemistry and Physiology, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400 061, India

⁴ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kakinada Centre, Kakinada Port– 533 001, India

⁵Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, College of Fishery Science, Muthukuru– 524 344, India

⁶Krishnagiri Barur Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Dr. Jayaalalithaa Fisheries University, Nagapattinam– 611 002, India

*Corresponding Author Email : nariinderc09@gmail.com

Received: 11.08.2020                                                                    Revised: 22.02.2021                                                                  Accepted: 06.04.2021

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of different carbon sources on growth performance of grey mullet, Mugil cephalus fry in biofloc based culture system during nursery rearing phase.

Methodology: The experimental trial was carried out for 60 days using three carbon sources, cassava, jaggery and barley in triplicate following a Completely Randomized Design. The carbon nitrogen ratio (C:N) in the systems were maintained at 15:1. Grey mullet fry (0.91g) were stocked @ of 1 fry 10 l^-1 and were fed with pelleted feed (35% crude protein) @ 4% of fish body weight thrice daily.

Results: Significantly higher (P<0.05) growth performance, in terms of Specfic Growth Rate (3.78 % day^-1) with lower Feed Conversion Ratio (1.35) were found in barley based biofloc group. Similarly, enhanced digestive enzyme activity in terms of amylase (8.78 Unit mg protein^-1 min^-1), lipase (2.77 Unit mg protein^-1 min^-1) and protease (4.22 Unit mg protein^-1 min^-1) were found in barley based biofloc group. Non- specific immune parameters such as lysozyme, respiratory burst activity and myeloperoxidase activity were significantly higher in barley based treatment group followed by jaggery and cassava based treatment groups. Likewise, stress indicators in serum and antioxidant status in liver were found to be lower in barley based treatment compared to cassava and jaggery based treatment groups.      

Interpretation: Rearing of Mugil cephalus in biofloc culture system is practicable; however, the carbon source required for biofloc production could be barley, compared to cassava and jaggery, in order to achieve maximum growth and to reduce the stress.

Key words: Biofloc, Carbon source, Mugil sp., Nursery rearing

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