Effect of dietary L -carnitine supplements on growth and body composition of fingerling rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Rohu, Labeo rohita (Ham.), fingerlings (average wt 3.38 g) maintained in 25 m2 cement tanks were fed fish-meal-based, 300 g kg−1 protein diets containing different levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 g kg−1) of L-carnitine in triplicate over a period of 126 days. Fish that received 0.5 g kg−1 carnitine showed significantly higher growth than those fed the basal diet or the rest of the carnitine diets. Fat digestibility, food conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were better in carnitine-fed fish; however, viscerosomatic and hepatosomatic indices decreased. Muscle proximate composition was affected as a result of carnitine treatment. The results of the present study demonstrate a positive effect of carnitine on the growth and body composition of rohu.