Natural or synthetic carotenoid: impacts of Haematococcus pluvialis-derived astaxanthin and synthetic astaxanthin on the diet of clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris
摘要
The market for ornamental aquatic organisms focuses on fish with specific characteristics such as size, shape, and coloration. This study aimed to examine the impact of dietary supplementation with 1.2 g kg−1 of natural astaxanthin (derived from Haematococcus pluvialis) and 18 mg kg−1 of synthetic astaxanthin on the coloration, growth, and survival of juvenile clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris. A total of 180 fish with an average initial weight of 0.70 ± 0.28 g and an average length of 2.89 ± 0.20 cm were divided into three groups: control diet, diet with synthetic astaxanthin, and diet with natural astaxanthin supplementation. During the 60-day feeding trial, fish biometry and photography were conducted at five different time points (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days). After 60 days, there was no significant difference in the growth performance of A. ocellaris between the different treatments. Both diets supplemented with astaxanthin resulted in fish with more vibrant colors compared to the control diet. However, fish that received natural astaxanthin showed even enhanced pigmentation than those in the control and synthetic astaxanthin groups. On the 45th day, it was evident that astaxanthin played a significant role in accelerating the pigmentation of the ventral region. At the end of the 60-day feeding trial, A. ocellaris fed the diet containing natural astaxanthin displayed significantly redder coloration.