Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency Assessment of Two Groups of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Cultivated in Iraq

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the growth performance and feed efficiency of two groups, old (H1) and new (H2) of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. (97.37+0.33 g). Fishes of the H1 introduced to Iraq in 1982 and then their reproduction and farming began on a large scale, while fishes of the H2 was introduced to Iraq in 2009 by Inmaa Agricultural Enterprises Organization. H2 group indicated significantly (p<0.05) better performance in several studied parameters which included specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein productive value (PPV), total apparent digestibility and apparent digestibility of protein and carbohydrates. This group also recorded significant (p<0.05) lower feed satiation level and fat deposited in the body compared to the old group (H1). Results of the current experiment concluded that there is a clear higher efficiency of the group H2 in most studied growth and feed efficiency parameters, which indicates the possibility of obtaining higher productivity and better economic profits when used in farming activities.