Effect of four ornamental flowers on the growth and colouration of orange sword tail Chicilidae fish (Xiphophorus hellerei Heckel, 19840)

The effect four botanical additives (H. rosa-sinensis, Rosa indica, Ixora coccinea and Crossandra infundibuliformiss) on the growth and body colouration of an ornamental fish of red sword tail Xiphophorus hellerei (Heckel) has been studied. This experiment was conducted on adult female fish for a period of 75 days. The carotenoid pigment sources were added to the supplementary diet at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 per cent levels of concentrations, respectively (5–10% of body weight). The fishes were treated with at the rate of 5 to ten per cent level of body weight. Three fold increases in growth was observed in H. rosa-sinensis fed fishes followed by R. indica. Furthermore, the similar weight gain has been observed with rest of the two flower petals (I. coccinea and C. infundibuliformiss). The percentage of colour pigments obtained in adult fish was maximum with I. coccinea followed by R. indica, H. rosa-sinensis and C. infundibuliformiss. Consequently a significant difference was found between individuals fed by natural pigment material and those by unpigmented feeds (p≤0.05). It was demonstrated that natural pigment substances have an impact on coloration of the fish.