Impact of azomite supplemented diets on the growth,body composition and endogenous enzymes in genetically male tilapia

Present study was planned to evaluate the impact of different graded levels of azomite on the growth,feed utilization,body composition and lipase enzyme activity in genetically male tilapia (gmt) fingerlings. eight tanks were stocked with 10 fishes in each with average weight of 12.30g size. four diets were formulated on the basis of 0.0% (control),0.25%,0.50%,and 0.75% of azomite. the fishes were fed twice daily,seven days a week for 49 days. results indicated that weight gain and specific growth rate (sgr) of control fish was significantly lower than diets fed with different doses of azomite. feed conversion ratio (fcr) was recorded as more efficient in 0.75% treatment as compared to rest of azomite levels. significant differences (p≤0.05%) were found in fiber,protein,fat and ash contents among all treatments of azomite and the control. the lipase enzymes values were noted as highly significant (p<0.05) among different azomite levels used. there was a tendency in descending fashion noted in the values of lipase i.e. among 0.75%,0.50% and 0.25% whereas it was the lowest recorded in control treatment. the study concluded that using azomite at 0.75% can act as a growth enhancer in gmt fingerlings. copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.