Abstract

In order to contribute to the domestication of Labeobarbus batesii, survival, growth performance in fattening and the chemical composition of the carcass, depending on the food energy level were evaluated. For this purpose, 400 post-fingerlings (mean total length: 28.5 ± 5.2 cm and mean live weight: 127.2 ± 4.8 g) were randomly distributed into four comparable batches, in duplicate. Four experimental isoprotein feed R1, R2, R3 and R4, containing respectively 3600, 3700, 3800 and 3900 kcal of Metabolizable Energy (ME) per kg of Dry Matter (DM) of food, were distributed to the batches described above, at 5% of the ictyobiomass. After 180 days of feeding, the main results obtained are as follows: the survival rate and the values of the chemical characteristics (organic, dry and fatty matter, ash, crude protein, water, HDLC, triglycerides, total protein and cholesterol) significantly elevated (p<0.05) were recorded in the groups receiving the food at 3600 kcal ME/kg; while the best growth performances were noted in those fed at 3700 kcal of ME/kg. The condition factor k increased with the increasing energy level in the food and remained greater than 1 throughout the experiment. The carp fed feed at 3600 and 3900 kcal ME/kg showed growth of the allometrymajorant type, while those receiving the feed at 3700 and 3800 kcal of ME/kg had growth of the allometry-minorant type. Thus, food with 3700 kcal ME/kg is recommended for the breeding stock of Labeobarbus batesii.