Effects of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on Growth and Survival of Fry of Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leeri)

Pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri) fry were fed with diet supplemented with varying levels of ascorbic acid (ascorbic -2 polyphosphate) from 0 to 500 mg/kg of diet with increment of 50 mg for 30 days. The fry receiving the diet supplemented with 150 mg of ascorbic acid had the highest weight gain. The lowest weight gain was observed in the diet not supplemented with vitamin C. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between the control and diets supplemented with vitamin C, except in the diet of 50 mg/kg. The specific growth rate was significantly superior with diet having 150 mg/kg. The present study revealed that the dietary supplementation of vitamin-C @ 150 mg/kg was desirable for maximum growth and better feed conversion for the fry of Pearl gourami while using locally available ingredients in the feed. However, vitamin-C supplementation above 350 mg/kg was observed to be undesirable.