Effect of Dietary Protein Levels on Body Composition of Catlacatla from Pakistan

Samples of major carp,Catlacatla, were collected for the analyses of proximate body composition which were fed 15% crude protein (CP) in treatment-1 (T1), 20% CP in treatment-2 (T2), 25% CP in treatment-3 (T3) and 30% CP in treatment-4 (T4), reared under polyculture system in earthen ponds with a stocking density of 2000 fish/acre. Moisture, ash, fat, protein, organic contents and fat free dry mass were measured in fish samples of the different treatments. In the wet weight of the Catlacatla, mean values of moisture, ash, fat and protein contents were ranged 72.93%-81.88%, 3.26%-6.03%, 3.35%-6.83% and 13.52%-15.94, respectively, in different treatments. Results also revealed a definite effect of varying dietary protein levels on the proximate body composition of Catlacatla. Moisture and protein contents in wet weight of the fish bodywere found significantly higher (p 0.05) in different treatments. Results forregression analyses showed strong positive correlation (p<0.001) of percent moisture content with percent ash content while negative correlation with protein and fat percentage, in wet body weight of Catlacatla.Negative correlation was found in %moisture and %ash content, while %fat and %protein were positively correlated with fish size (weight and length) in wet body weight for all treatments. The baseline data generated on nutritional composition of this carp would be of use for both the consumers as well as fish processors.