Effects of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) levels in fish diet on water quality, growth performance and nutrient utilization of Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) FRY

Abstract

In the present study, the influences of dietary zeolite levels on growth performance, nutrient utilization of Tilapia zillii and water quality parameters were investigated through-out a 45-days period. Each experimental diet was applied to triplicate groups of 10 fish (mean wet weight 1.08 +/- 0.01 g). Fish were fed, five times a day with diets containing 38 % (crude protein) and 8.5% (lipid) supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0, 2.0 zeolite (clinoptilolite). Results indicated that fish groups fed diets with zeolite had higher weight gain, specific growth rate (p>0.05), protein efficiency rate (p<0.05), and better feed utilization than those fed diet without zeolite (p>0.05). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was found to be 0.34 and 0.36 mg/L, respectively, in the groups fed with 1% and 2% zeolite-added rations. TAN was the highest as 0.39 mg/L in the control group with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Lower ammonia release is one of the most important matters for maintainable and environment-friendly aquaculture activities. It was concluded that zeolite may be a suitable feed additive for use in Tilapia zillii diets.