Dietary Aloe vera improves growth and hematology in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Paper Details
Dietary Aloe vera improves growth and hematology in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of dietary Aloe vera supplementation on growth performance and hematological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 90 fish were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: T0 (control, 0% Aloe vera), T1 (1%), and T2 (1.5%), with three replicate tanks per treatment. Fish were fed at 7% of body weight daily for eight weeks. Growth parameters were recorded weekly, while hematological indices were analyzed at the end of the trial. Results showed that fish fed the T1 diet exhibited significantly higher final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR), along with a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared to T0 and T2 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in length among treatments. Hematological analysis revealed significant increases in white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the T1 group, whereas red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Water quality parameters remained within acceptable ranges throughout the study. The findings indicate that 1% Aloe vera supplementation enhances growth performance and selected hematological parameters in Nile tilapia, suggesting its potential as a natural and effective feed additive in aquaculture. Further research is recommended to evaluate long-term effects and underlying mechanisms.
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Fatima Khan*, 2026. Dietary Aloe vera improves growth and hematology in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). J. Biodiv. Environ. Sci., 28(4), 89-99.
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