Arjun bark powder (ABP) is one of the most emerging feed supplements in aquaculture, recognized for its rich bioactive compounds and potent medicinal properties. This present study aimed to evaluate the impacts of graded levels of dietary ABP inclusion on the zootechnical performance, whole-body biochemical composition, blood chemistry, gut and liver morphology, disease resistance, and economic performance of Climbing perch Anabas testudineus. Four isonitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were prepared incorporating ABP at approximately 0% (control, D1), 1% (D2), 2% (D3), and 3% (D4) and fed the fish for 56 days. Fish diets with 1 and 2% ABP had significantly higher palatability compared to other diet groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, attractability was noted substantially higher in the 1% ABP diet (p < 0.05). Zootechnical parameters in terms of final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, live weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, and visceral somatic index were significantly improved in the 1% ABP fed fish group (p < 0.05). Carcass composition showed that crude lipid content was dramatically reduced in higher levels of ABP (p < 0.05), while crude protein, ash, and moisture did not exhibit any variations (p > 0.05). Different levels of ABP had notable effects on several hemato-biochemical indices of fish (p < 0.05). Different levels of ABP showed significant improvement in A. testudineus liver and gut health. The percent survival was the highest achieved in the D1 treatment (76.67%), with control fish having the lowest survival (30%) when challenged upon P. aeruginosa. Economic efficiency was significantly enhanced in the D1 group rather than in other test groups (p < 0.05). To conclude, incorporating ABP up to 1% in fish diets demonstrated better growth and health performance, body physiology, disease resistance, and economic efficiency.
Keywords: Arjun bark powder, growth and health performance, disease resistance, economic efficiency, Climbing perch, and sustainable aquaculture.