The effect of Iron nanoparticles on growth and survival of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Alireza Valipour1, Hamideh Kordi2; Alireza Shenavar Masouleh3; Mahmoud Hafezieh4
 Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Anzali, Iran
2 Ph. D. Student, Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Anzali, Iran,
3 International Sturgeon Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran
4 Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

This study was aimed at determining the effect of iron nanoparticles on the growth and survival of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) compared with FeSO4 as iron resource in the diet. For this propose, fish (weighing 12.92±0.47 g) were fed with four different dietary iron treatments containing 30 (T1), 60 (T2), 90 (T3) mgkg -1 iron nanoparticles or 60 mg kg -1 FeSO4 7H2O (Tc) for 8 weeks. Each treatment was performed in triplicate (three tanks/ treatment, twelve tanks in all) with 30 fish/ tank (90 fish/ treatment). The fish were fed twice a day, using a measured food ration of 5% body mass per day for the first month and 3% for the second month. Fish biomass per tank was measured fortnightly. Results showed there were significant differences between treatments in growth performance. The best WG, PWG, FCR and SGR was observed in T2 and the worst in T1 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between Tc and T3. Also, survival rates were not affected by different amounts of dietary iron (nano Fe3O4 and FeSO4) during the entire experimental period (p>0.05).

Keywords: iron nanoparticles, growth, survival, Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss