Enhancement of Growth Performance and Pigmentation in Red Oreochromis mossambicus Associated with Dietary Intake of Astaxanthin, Paprika, or Capsicum

Diets for tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, were supplemented with astaxanthin, paprika, or capsicum to determine their effects on growth performance and pigmentation. Seven isonitrogenous (37% crude protein) and isoenergetic (18 kJ/g) diets were formulated to contain 40 or 60 mg carotenoid per kg diet. Triplicate groups of 210 fish were stocked in 21-l plastic boxes and fed one of the three experimental diets or the control diet for 45 days. Significantly better final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion ratio were obtained with the diets containing 40 or 60 mg/kg paprika than with control diet (p<0.05). In general, the carotenoid-supplemented diets significantly increased the values of redness (a ), yellowness (b ), and chroma (C ), and decreased the values of lightness (L ) and hue (Hoab) on the tail, body, and head areas (p<0.05). Results show that paprika or capsicum oleoresin can be used as an alternative natural carotenoid source in O. mossambicus diets to ensure good pigmentation, better growth, and feed utilization.