EVALUATION OF NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY IN LABEO ROHITA JUVENILES FED LYSINE SUPPLEMENTED DIET.

A study was conducted under the laboratory conditions in the Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2014 to investigate the effect of supplementation of lysine on nutrient digestibility in the juveniles of Labeo rohita. Seven experimental diets were formulated by supplementing 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% lysine and designated as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7, respectively. To test each diet, two replicates with 20 fish each (average weight 3.526±0.056g) were assigned. The experiment was performed within the time duration of 60 days. Water quality parameters like dissolved oxygen (5.8-7.3 mg/L), temperature (24.9-28.7°C) and pH (7.4-8.6) were maintained throughout this period. Results showed that lysine supplementation in fish diet increased the digestibility of crude protein and dry matter. Maximum digestibility of crude protein and dry matter was observed at lysine level of 1.5 and 2.5%, respectively. However, it was observed that digestibility of crude fat decreased in response to lysine supplementation. In conclusion, it was found that lysine supplementation improved the nutrient digestibility performance of juveniles of L. rohita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]