Effects of dietary natural zeolite (Clinoptilolite) Levels on water quality, growth performance and feed utilization of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings [electronic resource]

Includes reference.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of natural zeolite levels in fish diets on the water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, chemical body composition, hematological parameters, biochemical blood parameters, and economical evaluation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), fingerlings through-out an 84-days period.
Each experimental diet was applied to triplicate groups of 13 fish (mean initial weight 10±0.01 g). Fish were fed two times a day with diets containing 30% (crude protein) and 8% (lipid). Four experimental diets were formulated supplemented with (0, 1, 2 and 3%) zeolite (clinoptilolite). The results showed that fish fed diets with zeolite had higher growth parameters and feed utilization than those fed diet without zeolite (p<0.05), the highest treatment in all of growth parameters and feed utilization was recorded for T3% zeolite. Fish fed diets with zeolite had a lower value of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) than control group (p<0.05).The feeding costs decrease by 3% T3 with 3% zeolite from the control. In conclusion, zeolite as feed additive improved water quality enhanced growth performance and feed utilization, economical evaluation, of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
Keywords: Nile tilapia, zeolite, water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, economical evaluation

Summary in Arabic.