Volume 6, Spring 2008 - Saddleback College

Fall 2007 Biology 3A Abstracts
Growth Difference in the Goldfish, Carassius auratus, Exposed to Different Diets with
Varying Levels of Proteins and Carbohydrates
Anne Merielle Ebol and Shanon Carney
Department of Biological Sciences
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California USA
Good quality food is necessary to achieve adequate health and nutrition for all living
organisms. Carbohydrates and proteins are two main components found in food, which
are required for proper metabolism and growth. Several studies have been performed on
goldfish to determine whether maximum growth based on weight and body size was
achieved with a diet higher in protein or with a diet higher in carbohydrate. In the current
study, fifteen goldfish were weighed before and after exposure to different diets consisting
of various ratios of proteins and carbohydrates. While both food components play a role in
growth, a difference in body mass was observed in the goldfish while exposed to the
different food contents. Group A was given a diet higher in protein, Group B was given a
diet higher in carbohydrate and Group C was given a diet containing both elements. The
diets were administered for a period of one month and changes in body mass were
evaluated every week. The average final weight measurements were: 1.76 ± 0.02 g (±se) for
Group A, 1.61 ± 0.03 g (±se) for Group B, and 1.44 ± 0.03 g (±se) for Group C. The
percentage weight gained for Group A was 15.03% from the high protein diet, Group B
was 8.78% from the high carbohydrate diet, and Group C was 2.13% from the combo diet.
Results indicated that there is a difference in growth in the goldfish, Carassius auratus,
when given different diets with varying components (p