Effect of Different Levels of Dietary Supplementation of Spirulina platensis on Some Growth, Feeding Indices and Body Composition of Benny Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi (Günther, 1874) Fingerlings

Effect of different levels of dietary supplementation of Spirulina on growth indices and carcass composition of Benny Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi was investigated in an 8 week experimental trial. Dried and powdered spirulina algae in five levels of 0، 2. 5، 5. 0، 7. 5 and 10. 0 % were added to the experimental diet. Experimental fish were fed to satiation twice daily. The results showed significant difference (P<0. 05) in final weight and weight gain of the experimental fish fed 10% supplementary diet compared to control treatment. However، specific growth rate and condition factor did not show significant difference among treatments (P>0. 05). Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio in 10% treatment showed significant difference (P<0. 05) with control group. Though significant difference (P<0. 05) was observed in whole body protein content between 10% (14. 07±0. 12%) and control treatments، the results showed that various levels of spirulina algae in diet did not affect the fat، ash، moisture، carbohydrate and energy content of the experimental fish. The results indicated that 10% dietary supplementation of spirulina could improve final weight، weight gain، specific growth rate، condition factor and body protein content of Benny fish.