Effect of Fenugreek as a Feed Additive on the Growth, Body Composition and Apparent Nutrients Digestibility of Striped Catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus Fry

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fenugreek as a feed additive on the survival, growth and body composition of striped catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus. The experiment was conducted in fiberglass tank having capacity of 18 L water with a stocking density of 25 fish fry per aquaria. There were two treatment groups; T-1, T-2 and a control (T-0) each was replicated twice. Fenugreek as an additive was added in experimental feed at the rate of 0.5% in T-1 and 1.0% in T-2 while control T-0 was without fenugreek supplementation. Fish was fed for six days a week at the rate of 4% of its body weight twice a day. Results showed significant (P<0.05) higher growth performance among the three treatment groups. Highest weight gain (5.07 +/- 0.72g), increase in total length (24.25 +/- 4.31 mm) was observed in T-2. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.8 and specific growth rate 1.4 were observed in T-1. Proximate analysis revealed significant differences (P <= 0.05) among treatments and control for crude protein while rest of the parameters remained same. Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fat was found non-significantly different among treatments. It is concluded that addition of fenugreek in fish feed can improve growth performance and also protein content of the fish meat as well.