Effects of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis on coloration, zootechnical performance, and antioxidant activity of the ornamental fish Cryptocentrus cinctus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20950/1678-2305/bip.2026.52.e977Keywords:
Aquaculture, Aquafeed, Gobies, Microalgae, CarotenoidAbstract
This study evaluated the effects of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis on coloration, antioxidant activity, and growth performance in Cryptocentrus cinctus. Three dietary treatments were formulated with increasing astaxanthin concentrations: A0 (0%—control), A10 (0.01% of the total dry diet), and A15 (0.015% of the total dry diet). Astaxanthin supplementation significantly enhanced skin pigmentation, with A15 fish exhibiting a distinct yellow coloration (R = 144.75; G = 122.9; B = 48.5). Catalase activity was also the highest in the A15 group (25 UCAT mg-1), suggesting improved antioxidant capacity. Zootechnical performance improved with astaxanthin inclusion, as A15 fish demonstrated greater weight gain (0.44 g), length gain (7.93 mm), and a lower feed conversion ratio (1.10). Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.015% astaxanthin from H. pluvialis enhanced pigmentation, antioxidant response, and growth efficiency in C. cinctus, representing the first report of carotenoid supplementation for this species.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Géssica Cavalcanti Pereira Mota, Laenne Barbara Silva de Moraes, Deyvid Willame Silva Oliveira, Clarissa Vilela Figueiredo da Silva Campos, Maria do Carmo Mohaupt Marques Ludke, Carlos Yure Barbosa de Oliveira, Alfredo Olivera Gálvez, Ranilson de Souza Bezerra
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