Silver nanoparticles as a dietary supplement: effects on growth and hematological health of striped dwarf catfish (Mystus vittatus)

The study assessed the impacts of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the survival, hematology, and growth of striped dwarf catfish (Mystus vittatus).This small indigenous catfish was selected as a model fish species for evaluating nanoparticle-based dietary interventions in aquaculture.Plant-extract-mediated nanoparticles are gaining attention as functional feed additives due to their high bioavailability, reduced dosage requirements, and potential to modulate immune and physiological responses.The AgNPs were synthesized using mango leaf extract and uniformly incorporated into feed pellets.Four experimental diets were created with three replications per treatment: 0 mg (control), 10 mg (T10), 30 mg (T30), and 50 mg (T50) AgNPs per kilogram of feed.Fingerlings (45 days of age; average weight 0.71 g) were obtained from a private fish hatchery.Fish were fed to apparent satiation three times daily for 75 days.Growth and hematological parameters were measured following standard procedures.Significant differences (p < 0.05) were seen in hematology and growth among the treatments.The T30 treatment (30 mg kg -1 ) showed higher weight gain percentage (210.5 ± 0.665%), specific growth rate (1.51 ± 0.002% day -1 ), and survival rate (86.66 ± 1.92%).The T30 also had higher red blood cells (2.03 ± 0.06 × 106 /μL), hemoglobin (10.10 ± 0.46 g/dL), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (49.75 ± 0.78 pg).Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio also improved at this dose, indicating efficient nutrient utilization.These responses suggest enhanced metabolic activity and resilience of the fish.However, white blood cell (WBC) count showed no significant change among treatments, suggesting no evidence of infection.Stable WBC counts confirmed that dietary AgNPs did not trigger immune stress.Therefore, the findings suggest that biosynthesized AgNPs in the diet can improve striped dwarf catfish growth, hematology, and survival, indicating potential as a feed additive.