Dietary Replacement Effects of Maize with Graded levels of Melon Shell on Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

A 60-day study was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of replacement of maize with graded levels of melon shell meal (MSM) on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerling. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated. MSM was added to the diet to replace maize at graded levels; 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Total of 150 fish (3.40±0.05g) were randomly assigned to the five treatment diets. Each treatment contained 10 fish per tank and each treatment was triplicated in a completely randomised design (CRD). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight in equal proportions. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) for measured growth parameters. Fish fed diet containing 100% MSM had the highest mean weight gain (70.70±4.62g), specific growth rate (SGR) (5.06±0.10%), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (0.54±0.04%) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.68±0.11%) compared to other treatments and the control while fish fed 25% MSM had the poorest values for MWG (39.88±4.37g), SGR (4.20±0.16), FCR (0.60±0.02) and PER (0.95±0.11). MSM inclusion in diet of C. gariepinus up to 100% enhanced growth.

Untitled

“…The physico-chemical parameters of experimental tank water were observed be to be within the range recommended for fresh water fish culture (Iheanacho et al, 2017b). Bhatnagar et al (2004) recommended 25-30 o C for culture of C. gariepinus.…”

“…Haematological parameters are important health indicators whose study reveals the health conditions of fish regarding diseases and immune system conditions before and after an experiment (Iheanacho et al, 2017b;Ogueji et al, 2017). In feeding of C. gariepinus juvenile with ginger, Iheanacho et al (2017b) reported significant difference for blood parameters among treatment groups. In the present study, highest values for RBC, Hb, PLT and HcT were seen in fish group that was fed 1.0% ginger treatment compared to other treatments and the control (Table 6).…”

“…At the end of the experiments, the final weight of the fish was measured using a sensitive weighing scale (S. smettler, China) and length using a plastic meter rule to determine the growth response of the fish, the following parameters were calculated (Iheanacho et al, 2017b):…”

“…In most countries, vast majority of the fish supply comes from the rivers as captured fisheries (FAO, 2014), and may not be able to meet the growing global demand for aquatic foods. Hence, there is a need for a viable alternative fish production system that can sufficiently meet this demand, and aquaculture is the solution (Iheanacho et al, 2017b). As aquaculture Abstract A-70 day study was conducted to investigate the growth, hematology and immune-modulatory effect of ginger supplemented diets in Clarias gariepinus.…”