Aquaculture Sciences

Aquaculture Sciences

Effects of dietary supplements of Spirulina and Astaxanthin pigment on growth performance, survival, and coloration indices in Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Monir Ghiyasabadi 1
Rezvan Mousavi Nadushan 2
Pania Ghasemi 3
Motahare Behzadi 3
1 Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
2 Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran.
3 Farzanegan 4 High School, National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (NODET/SAMTAD), Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most popular ornamental freshwater fish species, valued for its vibrant coloration, ease of breeding, and high economic potential in aquaculture. Skin coloration in this species is strongly influenced by diet and carotenoid intake. This study evaluated the effects of two dietary supplements—Spirulina platensis and the carotenoid pigment astaxanthin—on growth indices, survival rate, and skin color parameters of guppy males. A total of 90 male guppies were assigned to three treatments: Spirulina (5% of feed), astaxanthin (0.01% sprayed on feed), and a control group, each in triplicate, and fed for 90 days. Results showed that the Spirulina group achieved the highest weight gain (280 mg, equivalent to 165%), the best feed conversion ratio (1.5), and the highest survival rate (80%). In contrast, the astaxanthin group exhibited the greatest redness index (a*), while yellowness (b*) was similar in both Spirulina and astaxanthin groups and higher than in the control. ANOVA indicated significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in final weight, total length, condition factor, feed conversion ratio, and colorimetric parameters. Overall, these findings highlight the effectiveness of Spirulina in improving growth and survival, and the role of astaxanthin in enhancing red skin pigmentation in guppies, providing valuable insights for optimizing nutrition and quality in ornamental fish culture.
Keywords
Spirulina
Astaxanthin
Guppy
Survival
Skin color patterns
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Aquaculture Sciences
Volume 13, Issue 2
October 2025
Pages 62-78