Effects of supplementation of powdered Zataria multiflora on growth performance and serumic parameters in common carp (Cyprinus Carpio)

The use of medicinal plants can be effective in increasing the growth of aquatic organisms and to promote a non-specific immune level to increase resistance to diseases in aquaculture. Zataria multiflora, a plant of the Lamiaceae family, is an example of such medicinal plants containing mainly thymol and carvacrol, with well-known antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of thyme powder (Zataria multflora) on growth performance and serumic parameters of young common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Therefore, two hundred and forty fish, with initial weight of 20/27±5.13 g, were distributed among the treatments. Food was made with adding the powdered thyme in 4 formulations with 0 (control or Group 1), 50 (Group II), 100 (Group III) and eventually 150 ppm (Group IV) with a size of 4.3 mm. It was fed to the fish 3 to 4 times a day at a rate of 3-4% of their body weight, for 8 weeks. Specific growth rate and serumic parameters including total protein, albumin and globulin were measured and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in the values of the variables studied in different treatments. Results showed that the average weight in group 3 (57/11±4/37) was significantly (p<0/05) increased compared to the control group (38/49±2/61) and other treatments. Specific growth rate followed this pattern and the average of group 3 (1/87±0/17) was significantly (p<0/05) greater than the control as the minimum value (1/08±0/14) and the other groups. There was a significant difference in the amounts of total protein (p=0/005) and globulin (p=0/017) between the 4 groups. Based on the results, powdered thyme is effective in improving growth and serumic parameters of common carp (C. carpio).