Colour Enhancement in the zebra Malawi cichlid (Pseudotropheus zebra) by Addition of Spirulina microalga (Arthrospira maxima)

Cultured ornamental fish are often faint coloured due to extensive culture conditions . Experiments using algae as food additive to the diets of fish resulted in colour enhancement due to their natural colourant compounds. Effect of Spirulina microalgae Arthrospira maxim diet on colour enhancement of Zebra Malawi cichlid Pseudotropheus zebra was investigated. Total 180 fish were tested in 6 treatments with tree replicate for each (control, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of dry Spirulina in daily diet). After 5 weeks of experiments, colorimetry was performed using Image Processing (10000*14000dpi quality). Image processing was carried out in Photoshop software using L*a*b system. The results showed that Spirulina treatment led to significant enhancement of L mean level at all treatments. Optimum ratio of 15% Spirulina in daily diet of Zebra Malawi cichlid was resulted in colour enhancement as all studied colour parameters was in significant difference in contrast to the control group(P