Synthetic agents as growth promoters in aquaculture has become unpopular, hence, the need for better alternatives. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary plants on growth performance, haematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in African catfish. Fish were fed on basal diets for 84 days, the control and six other experimental diets containing different levels of Alstonia boonei (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) and Mitracarpus scaber (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) of the basal diets. Fish were weighed bimonthly, blood samples were collected and analyzed. At the end of the experiment, the final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), Average Daily Growth Rate (ADGR) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of fish fed with A. boonei and M. scaber were significantly higher than that of control (P<0.05). The values of RBC and haemoglobin of the M. scaber (0.5%) group were significantly higher than the other groups including the control. The values of Heterophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (HLR) and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in the control group were significantly higher than those of the treatment groups. Biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers did not show any significant difference between the treatment groups and the control (P>0.05). The findings clearly indicated that the plants enhanced growth performance in fish with little or no deleterious effects.

The present study was carried out to determine the protective effects of two dietary plants and the associated pathology in African catfish exposed to A. hydrophila. Four hundred and twenty fish with average weight of 20.53 ± 0.15 g were distributed equally (in triplicates) into seven experimental groups (six treatment groups and a control group) with 20 juvenile African catfish in each aquarium. Fish were fed for 84 days with control and six other experimental diets containing different percentages of Alstonia boonei (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) and Mitracarpus scaber (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) of the basal diets. At the end of 12th week, the fish were challenged with A. hydrophila and clinical signs and mortality rate were observed for fourteen days post challenge. Blood and tissue samples were collected for analysis. All the groups fed with plant supplemented feed had 100% survival rate except A. boonei (0.5%) with 85% and control had 70% survival rate. The dietary plants also improved the haematological parameters and reduced the histopathological lesions associated with A. hydrophila exposure, compared to the control. The findings have demonstrated the protective potentials of A. boonei and M. scaber inculcated in feed against A. hydrophila infection in African catfish

The present study was carried out to determine the protective effects of two dietary plants and the associated pathology in African catfish exposed to A. hydrophila. Four hundred and twenty fish with average weight of 20.53±0.15 g were distributed equally (in triplicates) into seven experimental groups (six treatment groups and a control group) with 20 juvenile African catfish in each aquarium. Fish were fed for 84 days with control and six other experimental diets containing different percentages of Alstonia boonei (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) and Mitracarpus scaber (0.5%,1.0% and 1.5%) of the basal diets. At the end of 12th week, the fish were challenged with A. hydrophila and clinical signs and mortality rate were observed for fourteen days, post challenge. Blood and tissue samples were collected for analysis. All the groups fed with plant supplemented feed had 100% survival rate except A. boonei (0.5%) with 85% and control had 70% survival rate. The dietary plants also improved the haematological parameters and reduced the histopathological lesions associated with A. hydrophila exposure, compared to the control. These findings have demonstrated the protective potentials of A. boonei and M. scaber inculcated in feed against A. hydrophila infection in African catfish.