Using azolla powder (Azolla filiculoides) adopted from Anzali lagoon as a plant-based protein source in feeding of ornamental fish, Iranocichla hormuzensis

Iranian cichlid fish is one of the unique ornamental fish such as other fishes, feeding cost is determined the final product price. On the other hand, invasion of Azolla to Anzali lagoon changed it to a pond. By using Azolla powder in Iranian cichlid fish feed formulation, it can be an opportunity to optimum utilization of this aquatic plant. In this study, different percentages of this plant powders (15, 30, 45 and 60%) was replaced to basic feed protein resources, fed for 8 weeks, 4 times per day on sanitation to fish with weighing 4.0±0.3 g. Food was purchased from CP Company, Thailand with 40% crude protein, including fish, soya, corn, squid and head of shrimp) with 41% iso-nitrogenous and 4230 kcal per 100 g of dry weight, iso-caloric. Results showed that azolla as a protein supplement replaced with protein sources of Iranian cichlid fish feed formulation without any adverse impacts on growth performance (P>0.05), with statistical impact on survival (P<0.05). Treatment with 45% replacement led to increase in body weight but higher replacement percentage caused negative effect on growth performance and survival rate.