Background:
Ornamental fishes form an important commercial component of aquaculture that provides for aesthetic requirement and upkeep of the environment. Have an Immense commercial value in the export trade world over. They are characterized by a wide diversity of colour patterns and success in the ornamental fish trade is very much dependent on the vibrant colour of the fish.
Introduction:
Colour is one of the major factors, which determines the price of aquarium fish in the world market. The World trade of the ornamental fish is estimated to the tune of US$ 4.5 billion. Annual growth rate 10%. Color of the ornamental fishes fades slowly under intensive culture condition. Fish do not synthesise carotenoids, so they need dietary carotenoid for the coloration. Hence a direct relationship between Carotenoids and pigmentation exist.
Carotenoids:
Carotenoids are group of over 800 natural fat soluble pigment that are primarily produce in phytoplankton, algae and plants. Carotenoids are the primary source of pigmentation in ornamental tropical fish, responsible for various colours like yellow, red and other related colours. They are absorbed in animal diets, sometimes transformed into other carotenoids and incorporated in tissues. Also play an important role in the health by acting as biological antioxidants.
Fish feeds contain carotene to enhance the color of ornamental fish. M-Color contains spirulina that brings out the reds in ornamental fish
Group of Carotenoids
Carotenes (purely hydrocarbon & no oxygen) Xanthophylls ( contain oxygen) The carotene groups includes alpha, beta & gamma carotene, whereas xanthophylls includes astaxanthin and zeaxanthin.
Source of Carotenoids
Carotenoids derive from natural sources contain mixture of several Carotenoids like: -carotene, -carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, cryptoxanthin, etc whereas, Synthetic processes provide only specific carotenoids like: -carotene
Synthetic pigment
Natural carotenoids
Plant based carotenoids Marigold
Chlorella Yeast Sea weed Corn gluten Alfa Alfa
7,000mg/kg
4,000mg/kg 1,000mg/kg 390-900mg/kg 290mg/kg 280mg/kg
75-1,300mg/kg
30-800mg/kg
The fresh water macro algae haematococcus pulvialis and Dunaliella salina has been commercially exploited for aquaculture primarily due to its rapid growth and high astaxanthin Cracked and dried Haematococcus pluvialis algal biomass content (10-30%) .
H. pulvialis is the primary source of pigmentation in ornamental fish, responsible for various species- related yellow, red and other colours.
D. salina is a source of -carotene, under appropiate culture condition, some strains were reported to accumulate upto 10% carotenoid. Other carotenoids rich ingredient: Marigold meal (lutein) and red peppers (Capsicum sp.) extract.
Spirulina
Crab meal
Besides, they are very expensive sources of carotenoid and thus feed production becomes costlier.
Xanthophyll pigments are responsible for the yellow color of the popular cichlid, Labidochromis caeruleus.
A diet rich in carotenoid pigments will help this Labeotropheus trewavasae maintain the brilliant redorange hue.
Carotenoids in fishes
Carotenoids commonly occuring in fishes with their colours are: Tunaxanthin(yellow)-common pigment in marine fish. Lutein(greenish-yellow) Beta-carotene(orange) Doradexanthins(yellow) Zeaxanthin(yellow-orange) Canthaxanthin(orange-red) Astaxanthin(red)- dominant carotenoid. Tetraxanthin(yellow)
Contd..
Though fishes do not synthesize carotenoides but certain fishes have the capacity to convert one form of carotenoid into another carotenoid or they are able to modify carotenoids. Based on this capacity, fishes are classified into three types: 1. Red carp type: in this group lutein is converted into astaxanthin molecules. 2. Sea bream type: lutein and carotene remain in the tissues and cannot be transferred in any other form inside the bodies. 3. Prawn type: beta-carotene can be converted into astaxanthin molecule.
In red velvet sword tail(X. helleri), topaz cichlids(Cichlasoma myrnae) the intensity of coloration significantly improve when fed on a diet containing 1.5-2% of carotenoids rich strain of spirulina platensis for three weeks.
The use of carotenoids as pigments in aquaculture is well documented. Their broader functions include a role as an: Some fishes change their colour pattern that can match the background and protect themselves from enemies. Attractant for the sperm. Colour attractant in the skin of males at breeding. Fertilization improving agent, resulting in a higher proportion of fertilized eggs. Reproductive role through deposition in the flesh and skin of the growing fish, presumably to make it sexually attractive. Subsequent mobilisation from the flesh to the reproductive organs and the eggs. Effects of anticancer and antioxidant. Pro-vitamin activity Immune enhancement Growth Maturation
Function of carotenoids
Conclusion
Application of carotenoids is an essential needs for the enhancement of color and health of fish in the ornamental sector but the high cost of commercially available carotenoids is one of the major problems.
Therefore, farmer can get benefit by using carotenoids which can be derived from the natural resources which are locally available. There is a need to standardize the dose of locally available source for the carotenoids supplementation.
Scientist should focus on this area to enhance the ornamental fish production at the greater level.
with the modern manner. This, can be applied for various ornamental fishes through coloration to gain more income from a smaller area.