Effect of anthocyanin's extract from flour of roselle calyx (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on growth and pigmentation of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is an ornamental fish. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of diet supplemented with anthocyanin from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on survival, growth, and chromatophores identification in skin of goldfish (C. auratus). Three experimental diets were prepared from commercial feed for tilapia added with 40, 80 or 160 mg of pigment from roselle/kg. Survival and biometric parameters such a growth, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. Histological analyses from some tissues were made. Survival values and biometric parameters were higher in goldfish fed added with roselle in comparison to control diets (96 and 90%, respectively). Melanophores were identified in tissues of all organisms and it was related to anthocyanin concentration. These results showed that roselle flour could be used as alternative source of natural pigments that could provide color to goldfish.