Growth, body proximate composition and selected blood parameters of rainbow trout Onchorhynchus mykiss fingerlings fed on a diet supplemented with nettle Urtica dioica and tarragon Artemisia dracunculus

Diet supplemented with nettle Urtica dioica and tarragon Artemisia dracunculus leaf powder on fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was assessed. Fish of initial body weight 7.41 ± 0.16 g, were distributed in six groups, three replications, and were fed 8 weeks. 0 (control), 10 nettle (N1), 30 nettle (N3), 10 tarragon (T1), 30 tarragon (T3) and 10 nettle +10 tarragon g/kg (N1+T1) diet. The N3 improved FBW, WG, WG% and SGR significantly (p ≤ 0.05). N3 increased body protein, ash and decreased body fat significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The highest haematocrit was observed in T3 significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The highest WBC in T3, and RBC and Hb in N1+T1 were observed (p ≤ 0.05). N1 and N1+T1 showed the highest MCV (p ≤ 0.05). N1, T1 and N1+T1 showed the highest MCH (p ≤ 0.05). The highest MCHC was observed in T1 significantly (p ≤ 0.05). N3, T3 and N1+T1 demonstrated the highest albumin levels (p ≤ 0.05). The T1 increased serum lysozyme activity compared to control (p ≤ 0.05). The highest serum total immunoglobulin and total protein in N3 were observed (p ≤ 0.05). The results showed beneficial effects of N3, T3 and N1+T1 on growth performance, body proximate composition and blood parameters.