The effect of a diet containing humic acid on the growth performance and intestinal histomorphology of the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Persian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran

10.22059/jfisheries.2024.373057.1417

Abstract

Humic acid is a soluble organic substance in varying concentrations in most aquatic ecosystems. Humic acid is present in water and the food chain is directly consumed by aquatic animals. This study investigated the effects of a humic acid-enriched diet on growth performance and gut histology in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). To prepare the experimental diets, four amounts of humic acid were added to a basic diet: 0 [control], 5, 10, and 15 g kg-1 diet. The duration of the experiments was six weeks. The length and weight of the fish in the different treatments did not differ at the end of the experiment. No significant differences were found between treatments in growth traits and feed efficiency. The condition factor as a symbol of health also did not differ between the experimental treatments. However, the intestines of fish fed 10 and 15 g kg-1 humic acid had longer and thicker villi than those of control animals. No significant differences were found in the depth of the intestinal crypt between the treatments. The results of the present study show that adding humic acid to the diet of Siamese fighting fish is associated with the development of intestinal tissue, but has no significant effect on the growth performance of the fish.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Fisheries
Volume 77, Issue 2
June 2024
Pages 147-156

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