The effect of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Nettle root (Urtica dioica) on growth rate and sex reversal of convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of Gokshura and nettle root extracts on growth rate and sex reversal in Convict cichlid fish. Seven-day hatchlings were immersed in water containing 0 (Control, T1), 200 mg/l nettle root extract (T2), 300 mg/l nettle root extract (T3), 10 mg/l Gokshura extract (T4) and 10 mg/l Gokshura plus 200 mg/l nettle root extracts (T5) for two months. Each treatment consisted of three replicates (with 35 fishes in each replicate). Weightings and sex determination were performed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that nettle root extract had a very significant effect on feminization as all fishes in treatments T2 and T3 became female (P<0.0001). Gokshura (T4) had substantial effect on sex reversal (P>0.05). The number of male fishes were significantly higher than females in treatment T5 (P<0.05). There were significant differences in body weights (BW), lengths (BL), specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth rate (DGR), percent of body weight gain (BWG%) and condition factor (CF) among treatments (P>0.05). In conclusion, nettle root extract led to transsexuals to feminization and both extracts reduced the growth rate of fishes in comparison with control fishes.