Effects of marigold flower (Tagetes erecta) on pigmentation and growth of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

In this study, the effects of marigold flower (Tagetes erecta) meal in various rations on the pigmentation and growth of gold fish (Carassius auratus) were investigated. During a 60 days experimental period, fish (8.36±0.23 g) were fed with diets marigold flower meal included of 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 100 mg/kg synthetic zeaxanthin and a control diet without any inclusion. Among the groups, diet group containing 10% marigold flower provided the highest carotenoid accumulation in the skin (78.43 mg/kg). This was followed by 7% (77.06 mg/kg) and 5% (75.35 mg/kg) marigold flower. Carotenoid accumulation remained at 25.53 mg/kg in the control group. Increasing the dose of marigold flower in the meals slowed down the growth of goldfish (p<0.05). Keywords: Carassius auratus, Marigold Flower, Zeaxanthin, Pigmentation, Growth