Effect of dietary protein levels on growth performance and feed conversion ratio of schizothorax plagiostomus

The effect of different dietary protein levels on growth and feed conversion ratio was studied in the Schizothorax plagiostomus. The fishes weighing 45-52g were reared in happas and fed on experimental diet. In this completely randomized designed experiment, five formulated diets of different dietary protein levels (25%, 30%, 35%, 40% & 45%) were tested. The fishes were fed by hand and fed at 5% of biomass. The results showed that dietary protein had significant effect on body weight, weight gain percent and specific growth rate. The body weight gain and specific growth rate of fishes fed with diet with dietary protein level of 35% was significantly higher (0.05) than that of 25%, 30%, 40% & 45%. The feed conversion ratio varied between 7.5 to 9.6 and was lowest in 35% dietary protein diet. Among the formulated diets evaluated in the present study, 35% dietary protein diet proved best considering the growth and feed conversion ratio of the fishes.