Effects of Dietary Pelargonium sidoides Extract on Growth Performance in Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio

The effects of graded dietary supplementation of Pelargonium sidoides extract on growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, were preliminarily evaluated. Fish (0.67 +/- 0.05 g) were fed experimental diets containing 0, 1, 3, or 5 ml/100 g P. sidoides extract for 90 days. Growth rate significantly (p<0.05) increased in carp fed supplemented diets. The specific growth rate ranged from 2.87 +/- 0.09 in the control to 3.41 +/- 0.11 in fish fed the diet supplemented with 5 ml P. sidoides. The feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and apparent net protein utilization were significantly better in groups fed diets with 3 or 5 ml P. sidoides extract than in the control or 1 ml group. The highest protein content (19.65%) was obtained with 3 ml supplementation. The present study shows that P. sidoides extract has a positive effect on carp growth and feed utilization with no apparent effects on health status.