Part 3 was a study on the effect of carotenoid sources on skin pigmentaion in
fancy carp. The experiment was investigated by diets supplemented with either
astaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene or combinations of lutein and β-carotene. Carotenoid
supplementation of fancy carp diets are an efficient way to improve the fancy carp
skin pigmentation. In terms of serum total carotenoids (TC), fish fed diets
supplemented with either a combination of lutein and β-carotene at 25:25 and 50:50
mg/kg diets, as well as lutein alone at 50 mg/kg had serum TC stronger than other
groups, and fish fed diets of them had serum astaxanthin concentrations similar to fish
fed with astaxanthin alone at 25 mg/kg. Pigmentation response of skin redness of
three groups of fancy carp were higher than other treatments, showed the best effects
on skin coloration as measured by redness skin. Furthermore, pigmentation effects
were retained after their discontinuation feeding with dietary carotenoid. Therefore,
diets supplemented with a combination of lutein plus β-carotene at 25:25 and 50:50
mg/kg, as well as lutein alone at 50 mg/kg are promising sources of dietary
supplements for skin pigmentation.