This study was conducted to investigate the effects of roselle as dietary supplements on the growth performance, nutrients utilization and hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings using standard methods and procedures for a period of three months from October to November 2021 in fish research farm of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Renewable natural resources, Federal University Dutsin-ma (FUDMA), Katsina State located along the new market road adjacent Shema filling station at  latitude 120.46’’ and longitude 70..49’’ Dutsin-ma Katsina State. Two hundred Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (4.25±0.13g) were allotted to four diets as treatments in a complete randomized design with roselle as additives at different inclusion levels of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%respectively. Fish fed 0.8% roselle have significantly (p>0.05) higher growth performance and nutrient utilization followed by 0.6%roselle fed fish group, while 0.4%roselle fed fish had the lowest growth performance among treated groups and control. There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the haematology of C. gariepinus fed different levels of roselle, but highest values for red blood cells (3.10±0.26), haemoglobin (9.63±0.85), packed cell volume (29.0±2.65) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (31.1±1.05) were observed in 0.8% roselle group. Highest mean corpuscular volume (94.4±7.91) and lymphocyte (32.0±4.36) were seen in 0.6% roselle treated group. Highest mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (33.27±0.05) in the control. For differential white blood cell counts, higher neutrophil (71.33±7.03) and basophil (2.3±1.53) were seen in 0.8% g roselle treatment group. Highest mean corpuscular volume (94.4±7.91) and lymphocyte (32.0±4.36) were seen in 0.6% roselle treated group, while the control have highest value for monocyte (4.3±2.52) and eosinophil (2.0±1.00). This study showed that fish fed 0.8% roselle diet had better growth performance, nutrient utilization and haematological parameters and it is therefore recommended for use in fish diet.

The species composition, size distribution, condition factor and growth pattern of cichlids from Zobe reservoir Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State was investigated between August and November 2022, with a view to understanding the distribution and well-being of cichlids in the water body. One hundred (100) cichlids were sampled from two (2) major landing sites (Makera and Garhi) of the reservoir, the fish were identified and separated before being transported in an ice box to the laboratory Biology Laboratory of the Federal University Dutsin-ma. At the laboratory, the length was measured to the nearest centimeter using a ruler while a sensitive weighing scale was used to measure the weight in grams. The results showed that four species were identified; Oreochromis niloticus (40), Oreochromis aureus (21), Sarotherodon galilaeus (21) and Coptodon zilli (18). The mean total length and weight were significantly higher (P<0.05) in O. niloticus compared to other species. The least was observed in O. aureus although it was not different significantly compared with C. zilli and S. galilaeus. The condition factor (K) of >1 was obtained in all the species with O. niloticus having the highest value of 2.26 which was significantly higher than 1.48 observed in O. aureus. All the species showed negative allometric growth, however, C. Zilli and O. aureus were very close to isometric growth with b values of 2.96 and 2.85 respectively. Although negative allometric growth was observed in all the species, the K values of >1 showed that all the cichlids in the Zobe reservoir are healthy and in good biological condition