XTRACT® Fish improves performance and resistance to disease in Nile tilapia
Published: September 25, 2015
Source : Clément Soulet
One of the critical factors affecting tilapia farming is poor water quality, which negatively affects crucial performance indicators such as growth rate, final body weight, and feed efficiency, and often results in high mortality rates. The bioactive components of XTRACT®Fish function to promote improved feed digestion and reduced intestinal inflammation, leading to better nutrient absorption and improved gut integrity and health.
Nile Tilapia
As a result, the use of XTRACT® Fish results in a greater availability of energy for optimal performance of the organism and a reduction in sensitivity towards stress. In a trial led in Israel by the AquaVet Wet Lab Facility, the effects of XTRACT® Fish on performance and resistance to environmental stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were evaluated.
Trial led at the AquaVet Wet Lab Facility, Israel
Trial protocol
Juvenile tilapia fish with a body weight of 0.22 g were transferred to tanks, and each tank was allocated 50 fish. The tilapia were administered either the negative control or the XTRACT®Fish supplemented feed. Each treatment was replicated six times. The negative control consisted of a basal diet made of fishmeal, de-hulled soybean meal, protein by-products, cereals, and a premix. The supplemented feed consisted of the basal diet with the addition of 200 g/t XTRACT®Fish mixed with fish oil and top coated at 1.5% onto the pellets.
Similar to the previous study, this trial was divided into two parts; during part one of the trial, the tilapia were evaluated for a period of three months under optimal conditions, in which the water was maintained at an optimal quality level (temperature > 25°C, oxygen > 6 ppm, ammonia < 0.5 ppm, nitrite < 0.4 ppm). During part two, the tilapia fish were studied in response to challenging water conditions.
Optimal conditions
Compared to the fish administered the negative control, tilapia fed with XTRACT® Fish showed an increase in feed intake by 9.9%, and final body weight by 9.4%. Furthermore, they demonstrated a higher survival rate by 6.4% (P < 0.05), and reduced FCR by 5.7% (P < 0.05).
Challenge
The second part of the trial was performed in challenging conditions, in which for a period of one month, the water quality and temperature were progressively deteriorated. The water temperature was decreased from 25 to 17°C, and the levels of ammonia and nitrate were increased from 0.6 to 3 ppm, and from 2 to 5 ppm, respectively. In addition, the water exchange rate per hour was reduced from 100 to 25%. The resulting condition led to a state of progressive anorexia.
Juvenile tilapia fish fed a diet supplement with XTRACT® and placed in an environment with poor water conditions, exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared to the negative control, suggesting that XTRACT® helps Nile tilapia resist challenging environmental conditions.
Conclusion
The two feed additives, XTRACT® Fish and XTRACT® Shrimp, improved overall performance and resistance to environmental or pathogenic stress in the Pacific white shrimp and the Nile tilapia, two aquatic species that represent the largest potential for commercial aquaculture feed globally. These phytonutrient solutions were shown to improve the performance efficiency of fish and shrimp, which has the potential to generate greater financial profit for farmers.
Aquaculture faces numerous challenges hampering the health of aquatic species, as well as the economic performance of farms themselves. In addition to phytonutrients, Pancosma & Associates has designed additional feed additives based on their extensive expertise in a wide-range of nutritional solutions, to aid aquaculture farms in overcoming these challenges. This diverse portfolio of products targeted for aquaculture includes, organic trace minerals, microbiota modulators and toxin binders.Recommend
Comment
Share
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Featured users in Aquaculture
Chris Beattie
MSD - Merck Animal Health
Global Head of Aquaculture at Merck Animal Health
United States
United States
