1. Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; 2. School of Life Science and Technology, Dalian Fisheries Univ. , Dalian 116023, China
Abstract: Two feeding trials were conducted to study effects of dietary astaxanthin and Spirulina on pigmentation of blood parrot (Cichlasoma citrinellum × C. synspilum). In Trail 1, the fish were fed the diets containing 0,30,100, 300,500,700, and 900 mg/kg astaxanthin at water temperature of 25 - 28 ℃ for 60 days. There was 24. 12, 34.62,88.42,110. 91,146.83,163.56, and 167.67 mg/kg pigments in the caudal fin of each group, and 34. 02, 48.31,68.68,79.41,118. 87,132. 50,and 141.97 mg/kg(in dry matter) in the skin in each group. In Trail 2, the blood parrot were fed the diets containing 0,1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of Spirulina for 60 days. The pigment contents of 24. 12,30. 22,33.47,47.74,55.79, and 62. 35 mg/kg were found in the caudal fin in each group, and the pigment levels of 34. 02,38.66,36. 99,39.70,52. 74, and 54. 62 mg/kg were observed in the skin in each group. It was found that the supplementation of astaxanthin and Spirulina in feed improved body color of the fish, astaxanthin better than Spirulina. Astaxanthin of 500 mg/kg diet was recommended for blood parrot pigmentation.