The effect of algae meal (Spirulina) on the growth performance and carcass parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of algae meal (Spirulina spp.) on the growth performance and carcass parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were studied. Algae meal was used as supplementary feed. One experimental diet – consisting of 10% Spirulina’s meal + basal diets (10% SD) – was used in the trial and compared to a control diet – a basal diet (BD) with 0% algae. The initial size of rainbow trout from the control group was 14.95 g, whereas the group fed with experimental feed was at 14.66 g. They were stocked in semi-closed RAS at a density of 26 pcs/m 3 . The fish were acclimatized in the RAS for two weeks. The duration of the trial was 35 days. The weight gain, condition factor and average daily growth of rainbow trout fed with 10% SD were higher than those from the group fed with feed without algae supplement, but the differences were not statistically proven (p>0.05). The fish fed with experimental feed showed better weight of eviscerated fish, consumable yield and carcass weight compared with the carcass parameters showed from fish fed with BD, but difference was statistically proven (p<0.05) just for consumable yield.