The effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth performance of rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) in cage conditions

The response of rainbow trout to supplemental dietary L-carnitine with respect to growth performance parameters during a 63-day feeding period was investigated. One group was fed the control diet which L-carnitine was not added (Group C) while two other groups received feed by supplementing with 300 mg L- carnitine/kg diet (Group A) and 600 mg L-carnitine/kg diet (Group B). According to the results, carnitine supplemented groups had larger final weights and better-feed conversion (J*<©.05) than those control group. At the end of the feeding trail, net weight gain offish in Group B was significantly increased compared to control group (P<0.05). However there were no significant differences in daily weight gain (PXK05) of fish among the groups. The results indicate that supplementation of 600 mg L-carnitine /kg diet is more effective than the other carnitine supplementation level (300 mg/kg) and control diet (Group C) in commercially cage conditions in Seyhan Dam Lake (Lat 36° 59' N - Long 35° 19' E).Key words: L-carnitine; Fish nutrition; Rainbow trout; Growth