Abstract:
Carassius auratus (Gold fish) is an ornamental fish species which is an egg layer, commonly
cultured in Sri Lanka. It’s annual production is 34,019 (NAQDA report 2011). Calico, Pearlscale,
Ranchu, Red cap and Oranda are the common Gold fish varieties cultured in Sri Lanka. Producing
gold fish for export market with optimum marketable size after grow-out period using low cost
feed having appropriate nutritional properties is crucial. General proportions of various nutrients
as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and some pigments are needed to be included in a
standard fish diet (Metwally, 2009). Metwally (2009) has indicated that medicinal plants are
regarded as potentially safe drugs and have been tested for biological, antimicrobial; antioxidant
and hypoglycemic activities and their extracts can be potentially used for enhancing growth of fish
by improving quality of their feed. In the present study, Cardiospermum halicacabum
(Welpenela), a climber belongs to the family Sapindaceae which exhibit a wide range of biological
and pharmacological properties was selected as the herb and its effect on the growth of gold fish
was tested.
Methodology
The experiment was conducted at the Ornamental Fish Breeding and Training Center -
Rambodagalla. Extractions of C. halicacabum was prepared by grinding the plant and three
treatment feeds were prepared by replacing 20 g, 40 g and 60 g respectively from “0” Prima
feed with 20 g, 40 g and 60 g of C. halicacabum extract. The feed used by the Rambodagalla
Center was used as the control. Composition of the four types of feed is given in table 1.
Prepared feed were stored in the refrigerator under 2 C. Proximate Analysis of all the feeds was
carried out.
