Alterations in growth indices and body composition of goldfish (Carassius auratus) fed on diets contaminated with different levels of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone toxins

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone in regards to changes in growth indices and body composition of gold fish. For this purpose, 675 juvenile fish weighing approximately 6.25±0.12 grams in the form of 9 experimental treatments with diets containing three levels of Aflatoxin B1 (AF) (0, 50 and 100 ppb) and three levels of Zearalenone (ZER) (0, 500 and 1000 ppb) and they were fed for 60 days. Then, growth indices and body composition were measured. Based on the results, the weight gain in juveniles fed diets containing AF50 with ZER1000 andAF100ZER1000 (treatments 7 and 9) decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Groups fed with diet containing AF50, AF100ZER500, and AF100ZER1000 showed lower weight gain (p<0.05). Specific growth rate at levels of AF50, AF100, ZER1000 and combination treatments of two toxins had a significant decrease compared to the control group (p <0.05). Although there was no significant difference between treatments in indices of feed conversion ratio, the lowest value was observed in the group without toxin (treatment 1) and the highest value was observed in treatment 9 (AF100ZER1000) (p >0.05). The lowest body protein was observed in treatment 6 (AF50ZER500) (p <0.05). Also, the lowest body fat was observed in treatment 4 (ZER500) (p <0.05). The lowest moisture was observed in treatment 7 (AF50ZER1000) (p <0.05). It can be concluded that both Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone alone, reduce growth indices and changes in body composition, but the simultaneous presence of two toxins has the greatest effect on these indices.