Effect of lipid levels on the reproductive performance of Snakehead murrel, Channa striatus.

Present study aimed to determine the optimum dietary lipid level in snakehead murrel channa striatus broodstocks. Triplicate groups of fish were fed for 240 days with isonitrogenous experimental diets with increasing lipid levels (100, 140, and 180 g kg⁻¹), using fish oil and soybean oil as the lipid sources with the ratio of (1:1). Weight gain, GSI, fecundity, oocyte diameter and number of mature oocyte were found to be significantly higher in the group fed with diet containing 180 g kg⁻¹ lipid level. Muscle fatty acid profile showed a significant increase in LA (18:2n-6), LNA (18:3n3), total PUFA, n-6 and ArA (20:4n-6) in fish fed with diet containing 180 g kg⁻¹ lipid. Increasing lipid level up to 180 g kg⁻¹ resulted in significant increase in PUFA ( LA & LNA), lc- PUFA ( EPA, DHA, ArA), total PUFA, n-3 and n-6 series in ovary and liver of female C. striatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]