Oral administration of garlic powder (Allium sativum) on growth performance and survival rate of Carassius auratus fingerlings

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of garlic (Allium sativum) on growth survival and nutritional characteristics of goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this purpose, 180 goldfish with an average initial weight of 1.18± 0.08 g were introduced randomly into 12 aquaria (50×30×40 cm) at 4 groups. After one week feeding on basal diet, the treatments were fed on experimental diets for 8 weeks. Garlic powder was added at different levels as follows: 0 (Control), 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg commercial diet. At the end of the experiment, growth, nutritional performance and survival were evaluated. There was no significant difference in growth performance and feed efficiency between treatments, although the growth and nutrition efficiency were better in 0.5% garlic powder treatment. The highest survival rate was achieved in the 0.5% garlic powder treatment that showed a significant difference comparing to control diet (p<0.05). The best growth performance and feed efficiency were obtained from fish fed by 0.5% garlic powder diet.