Effects of background colour on growth performance,skin pigmentation,physiological condition and innate immune responses of goldfish,Carassius auratus |
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| Authors: | Khalil Eslamloo Sobhan R Akhavan Ahmad Eslamifar Morgane A Henry |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran;2. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khoramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran;3. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran;4. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Aghios Kosmas, Helliniko, Athens, Greece |
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| Abstract: | A study was carried out to investigate the effects of background colour on the growth performance, skin colour, haematology, physiological condition and non‐specific immune responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus. Goldfish were reared in tanks with four different background colours (white, black, blue and red) for 8 weeks. Fish growth performance markedly rose in white background compared with the other treatments. There was no significant difference in haematological parameters or plasma proteins concentrations between treatments. Plasma cortisol of fish reared in red background was significantly higher than that in black and white backgrounds. Plasma antiprotease and lysozyme activities were more than doubled in white and black treatments compared with the red and blue groups. The other immune parameters tested (plasma peroxidase, complement and bactericidal activities) did not significantly change between treatments. Skin carotenoid content and the intensity of fish skin colour extremely diminished in white background. This study revealed that red and blue backgrounds are chronically stressful and immunosuppressive in goldfish. White backgrounds will preferably be used for the culture of goldfish for best fish growth. However, a way to revert the colour loss of goldfish skin reared in white backgrounds remains to be investigated. |
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| Keywords: | ornamental fish tank colour carotenoids haematology stress indicators non‐specific immunity |
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