Grass carp - Nutritional deficiencies

Vitamin C deficient diets result in poor growth and feed utilization (Wen and Liao, 1996). Wang and Zhao (1994) observed poor growth and a high morphological abnormalities (36.1 percent) when grass carp are fed a manganese deficient diet. The mineral and vitamin requirements of grass carp are shown in Table 6. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) deficiency results in bent spine and muscle atrophy (Takeuchi et al., 1992).

Deng (2006) summarises general disease symptoms associated with the feeding of poor quality feeds (unbalanced nutrients, high heavy metal levels and aflatoxin etc.), including hyperaemia in the fin-base and intestine, enlarged liver and gallbladder, abnormal vertebrae and increased susceptibility to parasite infections.