The body color of fish fed were improved to be clearer by feeding the bitterling an artificial diet containing different carotenoids. The possibilities of using the bitterling, Rhodeus uyekii, an aboriginal fish of Korea, were studied by feeding the e...
The body color of fish fed were improved to be clearer by feeding the bitterling an artificial diet containing different carotenoids. The possibilities of using the bitterling, Rhodeus uyekii, an aboriginal fish of Korea, were studied by feeding the experimental diets supplemented with the various carotenoids (astaxanthin, lutein, and $\beta$-carotene). Amount of total carotenoids in the groups of fish fed by supplementation carotenoids were relatively higher than the control group of fish fed by no supplementation carotenoids. Especially, the group of fish fed by lutein supplementation diet showed most clarity in body color. The group of fish fed by astaxanthin supplementation diet showed the highest growth while the group of fish fed by lutein or $\beta$-carotene supplementation diet showed no significant different comparing to the control group of fish. The results from this study indicated that the bitterling could be a new ornamental fish as long as provided with the proper diet and culture condition.