Photoperiod manipulation improves growth performance, haematological indices and economic returns of Indian butter catfish, Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)

This study aimed to assess the impact of photoperiod on the growth performance, haematological responses, and economic returns of the endangered and highly valued Indian butter catfish,Ompok bimaculatus. Fish with an average body weight of 28.60  ± 4.78 g were randomly placed in six FRP tanks, each measuring 120 × 45 × 60 cm3. Each tank contained 20 fish exposed to a light intensity of 1500  lx under different photoperiods [24:0 light: dark (L: D), 15 L: 9D, 12 L: 12D, 9 L: 15D, 0 L: 24D and a natural photoperiod (control)], and fed at a daily rate of 2% of their body weight twice daily for 60 days. The fish in the 15 L: 9D photoperiod exhibited the highest final weight (g), perc entage weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate, while the lowest was displayed in 24 L: 0D photoperiod group. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was at its lowest in the catfish subjected to the 15 L: 9D photoperiod. Regarding haematological parameters, the 15 L: 9D photoperiod gro up showed higher total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, haemoglobin levels, and haematocrit values compared to the other groups. Conversely, the 0 L: 24D group, which experienced prolonged darkness, exhibited the lowest values in these parameters. Moreover, the 24 L: 0D, 9 L: 15D, and 0  L: 24D groups displayed a lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) but higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) when compared to the con...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research