The dietary effect of adding sodium propionate on some growth indices, survival rate, and some immune responses of gold fish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract

Introduction: In the present study, the effects of dietary sodium propionate as an acidifier additive on some indices of growth, survival rate, and serum immunity of goldfish were investigated.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 240 fish with an average initial weight of 7.2±0.75 g were randomly distributed in 12 aquariums. The fish were fed with the levels of 0 (control), 1.5% and 2.5% sodium propionate in the feed for 60 days.
Result: The results showed that weight gain, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate, condition coefficient, and survival rate in the treated fish were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). However, the highest feed conversion ratio was observed in
the control group (P<0.05). Also, the highest levels of serum immunoglobulin M (9.64±0.11 mg/l) and lysozyme (15.61±1.03 μg/ml/min) were observed in 2.5% sodium propionate treatment compared to others (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the use of 2.5% sodium propionate in goldfish diet acts as a growth stimulator and can enhance the growth performance along with the immune system.