Evaluation of Mulberry (Morus alba, Linn.) leaf meal as a complete diet for sting fish (Heteropneustes fossilis, Bloch.)

Abstract

An outdoor experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of mulberry (Morus alba) leaf meal as a total substitute (100%) for dietary fish meal for sting fish (Heteropneustes fossilis), having weight 5.0±1.0 g and length 7.0±0.5 cm. Three isonitrogenous (25 – 27%) and isocaloric (2250 – 2300 kcal kg^-1) feeds were used to monitor a 92-days old trial in small domestic ditches (4.5 m × 3 m × 1.2 m) near Balarampur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The feed prepared from mulberry leaf was proved to be the best in terms of survival rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and specific growth rate (SGR) than other two feeds prepared from groundnut oil cake and dried earthworms. A significant (P<0.01) difference was observed in total weight gain of the leaf meal administered to fish over other treatment series. The leaf meal was not only superior in stimulating growth but also showed increase in survival rate and disease prevention hen compared with other two feeds.