Effect of Citrus Peels Mingled Diets on Carassius auratus Coloration

Present project was an endeavor to use natural carotenoid sources to enhance skin color of gold fish Carassius auratus. Citrus peels were collected from local market dried and grinded. Organic solvent extraction was carried out by hexane and acetone mixture (1:1 v/v). Carotenoid concentration was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and found satisfactory. By mixing fish meal, sunflower meal and rice polish four treatment diets, T-1, T-2, T-3, were prepared and citrus peel powder was added @ 200g, 400g and 600g/ 1000g, respectively. While fourth one, control diet (T-o) was without citrus peels. These is nitrogenous diets (30% protein) were offered to Carassius auratus juvenile having body weight 20 +/- 7.54g in powder form for 92 days. Weight gain, length gain and FCR were calculated fortnightly. At completion of feeding trial, color intensity and pigment concentration was measured in Carassius auratus skin. Statistical analysis of results showed non-significant differences (P<0.05) among all treatments in weight gain and FCR. Maximum color intensity 1.52 +/- 0.08 and carotene concentration in lateral and tail region, 0.4 +/- 0.01 and 0.05 +/- 0.02 were recorded in T-3 without any harmful effect. It is concluded that citrus peels are good, natural, low price Carotene source for color enhancement.