Effect of Water Hyacinth Leaf Meal Supplementation on Water Quality and Flesh Protein of Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) Catfish

Aquaculture has emerged as a critical sector in the global fisheries industry, contributing significantly to food security and nutrition. India, the third-largest fish producer globally, is at the forefront of aquaculture development. However, challenges like the rising costs of fish oil and fish meal necessitate exploring alternative feed ingredients. One such alternative is Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic plant known for its rapid growth and nutrient-absorbing properties. This study aims to assess the nutritional potential of water hyacinth leaves as a substitute for conventional fish feed, particularly for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Pangasius catfish), a popular species in aquaculture. Water hyacinth leaves were collected from Adharatal Pond at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, and incorporated into catfish diets at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The study examined water quality parameters and the effect of Water hyacinth leaf meal (WHLM) on growth, survival, and protein content of the catfish. Water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, total alkalinity, and carbon dioxide) were measured throughout the experiment, showing no significant adverse effects from the WHLM supplementation. The results indicated that the incorporation of 30% WHLM (T3) in the diet led to the highest protein content in catfish flesh (16.24 ± 0.76%), significantly higher than in the control group (12.24 ± 0.19%). The study concluded that water hyacinth leaf meal is a viable alternative protein source in aquaculture feed, enhancing the nutritional profile of fish and offering potential economic and environmental benefits by reducing dependency on fish meal. This research highlights the influence of environmental factors on the proximate composition of water hyacinth, demonstrating that the plant's nutritional value is influenced by the surrounding ecosystem. Future studies should explore the amino acid and mineral composition of water hyacinth to further understand its potential in aquaculture diets. The findings suggest that optimizing water quality parameters and utilizing locally available resources like water hyacinth can contribute to sustainable aquaculture practices.