Study of proper supplementation level of chitosan from insect resource in the feed of crucian carp

The proper supplementation level of chitosan from insect resource in the feed of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) was investigated. Two hundred and twenty-five crucian carp with average weight 25.21.7 g were randomly divided into five treatments, each with three replicates, 15 fish per replicate. The test fish were fed five diets with different levels of insect chitosan (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%), respectively. Compared to 0% chitosan treatment, relative growth rates of other chitosan supplementation treatments were improved by addition of chitosan, and feed coefficients were significantly decreased (P0.05), the growth performance of 0.5% chitosan supplementation treatment was the best among all treatments. By calculating the optimal level of insect chitosan to achieve the best relative growth rate and feed coefficient and considering the results of present study, 0.50%~0.60% insect chitosan was recommended to supplement in the feed of crucian carp.