Fermented medicinal herbs improve the hematological and physiological profile of Striped catfish (Pangasionodon hypophthalmus)

This study sought to determine the effect of fermented medicinal herbs (FMH), i.e. cutchery ( Kaempferia galanga ), tumeric ( Curcuma longa ) and curcuma ( Curcuma xanthorrhiza ) in combination with molasses and probiotic drink (Yakult), administered orally on the hematological and physiological profile of striped catfish ( Pangasionodon hypophthalmus ). A complete randomized design (CRD) experiment was used with four levels of treatments, namely P0 (control), P1 (FMH 100 ml/kg), P2 (FMH 200 ml/kg) and P3 (FMH 300 ml/kg) of feed. The fish were kept in a farm in cages at 75 fish/m 3 , and fed with the experimental diets for 60 days. The results revealed that FMH (P2) dietary administration improved hematological and physiological profile of catfish, i.e total erythrocytes of 2.81 x 10 6 cells/mm 3 , hematocrit values of 39.00 %, hemoglobin levels of 10.73 g/dl, total leukocytes of 11.41 x 10 4 cells/mm 3 , blood glucose 97.33 mg/dl, and total serum protein 4.10 mg/dl compared to controls with 1.89 x 10 6 cells/mm 3 , 32.33 %, g/dl, 9.67 x 10 4 cells/mm 3 , 67.33 mg/dl, and total serum protein of 3.10 mg/dl, respectively. Moreover, the diet improved special growth rate, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency and the survival rate of catfish