UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

This research evaluated the effects of household versus manufactured feeds on heavy metal accumulation and proximate composition in Labeo rohita and Oreochromis niloticus in controlled tank environments. Fish were raised under three feeding regimes: household feed, manufactured feed, and a control group. Analysis of heavy metals revealed that L. rohita receiving manufactured feed had the highest levels of chromium (8.464 mg/kg in muscle), cadmium (0.949 mg/kg in viscera), and lead (0.411 mg/kg in viscera), compared to the household-fed and control groups. In O. niloticus, elevated cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels were observed in fish-fed manufactured diets, whereas chromium levels were relatively lower. The findings indicate that manufactured feeds may increase the risk of heavy metal accumulation. Proximate composition analysis showed that L. rohita fed manufactured feed exhibited the highest crude protein (15.92%) and ash (5.23%) content, whereas household feed produced moderate protein levels (15.73%) and slightly elevated lipid content. In O. niloticus, household feed increased lipid content (3.11%) while slightly decreasing protein levels (14.33%) in comparison to manufactured feed (14.99%). The control group exhibited a higher moisture content for both species. These results highlight the significance of choosing safe and balanced feed formulations for sustainable aquaculture techniques by pointing to a trade-off between nutritional advantages and possible contamination hazards.