A recent study has revealed that adding selenium and vitamin E to the diet of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) can significantly boost growth, strengthen the immune system, and reduce mortality from bacterial infections.
The researchers, conducted at the Trout Culture and Training Centre in Swat, Pakistan, assessed the effects of different levels of these micronutrients in 1,050 trout farmed under intensive conditions over a 90-day period. The findings showed that fish fed a combination of selenium (1.5 mg/kg) and vitamin E (80 mg/kg) achieved higher growth rates, improved feed conversion efficiency, and greater resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida, a common bacterial pathogen in salmonid aquaculture.
In addition to increased weight gain and specific growth rates, the trout receiving this supplementation showed enhanced blood parameters, including higher red blood cell counts and haemoglobin levels. Mortality rates were significantly lower in the groups fed selenium and vitamin E compared to the control group.
These results indicate that incorporating selenium and vitamin E into commercial trout feed could be a key strategy for enhancing production efficiency, particularly in intensive farming systems where stress and disease outbreaks can impact profitability.
This study underscores the importance of functional nutrition in aquaculture, paving the way for the development of more balanced and effective feed solutions for trout producers.
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