The effect of Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) extract on growth, liver and small intestin histology in gold fish (Carassius auratus L., 1758)

In this study, the effects of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) extract (0, 0,5, 1, 1,5%) on the growth parameters of gold fish (Carassius auratus) fry (initial mean live weight 2,06 ± 0,48 g) were determined. The experiment was carried out in 12 tanks for 45 days with 3 replicates. At the end of the experiment, growth parameters, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rates and histology of liver and small intestin were compared. The best mean live weight gain was obtained from the group fed with 0,5% extract supplemented feed(2,83±0,08); while, the lowest live weight gain was observed in the 1,5% group(1,19±0,22)(p<0,05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of FCR and survival rates (p>0,05). Liver and intestinal tissues in all groups were found in normal morphology. It is found that echinacea extract did not cause a negative effect on the health of the gold fish. When this conclusion and growth performance data were evaluated together, it is found that echinacea extract could be used as a feed additive in gold fish.