Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fed with Seaweed (Pistia stratiotes) Leaf Meal at Varying Inclusion Level

Abstract

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of varying inclusion levels of Pistia stratiotes leaf meal on the growth performance and haematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus juveniles.15 plastics tanks (21.5x14.5x9cm) were used for the experiment each containing 10 Clarias gariepinus juveniles which were fed with five isonitrogenous diets containing 40% crude protein with varying inclusion of Pistia stratiotes (Control diet with P. stratiotes 0%, P. stratiotes inclusion 25%, P. stratiotes inclusion 50%, P. stratiotes inclusion 75%, P. stratiotes inclusion, 100%). The fish were fed 2 times a day using 5% of their body weight from their various experimental feeds for 12 weeks. The fish in tank T3 (75% inclusion of P. stratiotes) had the best weight gain with a mean value of 61.5±0.70g. The specific growth rate was recorded in tank T3 (75% inclusion of P. stratiotes) with a mean value of 0.78±0.83 was recorded. The highest feed conversion ratio was recorded in tank T4 (100% inclusion of P. stratiotes) with a mean value of 1.91±0.70. The highest protein efficiency ratio was also recorded in T3 (75% inclusion of P. stratiotes) with a mean value of 0.03±0.01. The fish fed with P. stratiotes showed increase in haematological values of Red blood cell (RBC), (2.21±0.18), and White blood cell (WBC), (6.35±2.61) compared to the values of fish fed with control diet of Red blood cell (RBC), (1.975±0.86), and White blood cell (WBC), (4±2.96). There was a reduction in the haematological value of the fish fed with P. stratiotes in Haemoblogin (HB), (14.05±0.92) compared to the value of fish fed with control feed Haemoblogin, (12.05±4.59). It was concluded that using P. stratiotes leaves as feed for Clarias gariepinus enhances the growth of the fish and has no negative impact on the health status of the fish. Seaweeds are more available and relatively cheaper, it could be recommended that partial replacement of Seaweed in the diet of C. gariepinus at 75% inclusion level would aid fish productivity. Therefore partial replacement of feed seaweeds in the diet of Clarias gariepinus should be encouraged.