Influence of dietary lipid sources on growth, reproductive performance and fatty acid compositions of muscle and egg in three-spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) (Pallas, 1770)

Five isonitrogenous (420 g kg−1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.3 kJ g−1) practical diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), Kilka fish oil (KFO), linseed (LO), canola (CO) and soybean (SBO) oils fed to juveniles of three-spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) (initial weight 1 ± 0.03 g) three times per day to apparent satiation for 14 weeks. Results showed the mean final weight of brooders was not significantly affected by dietary oil sources. Specific growth rate for fish fed in SBO and CO diets was statistically higher than for fish fed diet LO. Fish fed diets CO and KFO showed in significantly higher GSI value compared with other diets. Absolute fecundity was greatest in fish fed diets KFO and CO, which significantly differ with other treatments. Except for KFO diet, high fertilization percentages (87.3–93.45%) were observed in other treatments. Fatty acid composition of muscle and egg was found to be positively correlated with their respective dietary lipid sources. High levels of EPA, DHA and n-3 HUFA in brooders fed diet FO negatively affect egg quality parameters. Therefore, the results demonstrated that vegetable oil-based diets (CO, SBO and LO, respectively) can positively affect on growth performance of juveniles compared with fish oil-based diets. Furthermore, CO and LO diets, respectively, showed positive effects on reproductive performance in T. trichopterus compared with fish oil diets during experimental period under controlled conditions.