Performance and survival of hybrid catfish (hetero x clarias) fed with whole cassava root meal as a replacement for maize

Abstract

This trial was conducted to assess the possibility of replacing maize (Zea mays L) with varying levels of whole cassava (Manihot esculent crantz) root meal (WCRM) in the diet of hybrid catfish (Heterobranchus, bidorsalis x Clarias gariepinus). The effect of replacement on growth variables and nutrient utilization of the WCRM as a replacement for maize were also determined. Four practical diets with varying replacement levels of maize at 0 (A o), 33 (B 33), 66(C 66), and 100% (D 100) were formulated and fed to hybrid catfish fingerlings for 32weeks. Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight/day. Optimum growth, nutrient utilization of the fish were assessed. The results obtained from the study indicated that WCRM can completely replace maize with the best result at 66% inclusion. The highest values of growth performance were: final weight 12,782±601.21g, mean weight gain 12041.43±312.66g, and daily weight gain 78.78±10.28g. The nutrient utilization indicated the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.71±0.40; Gross feed conversion efficiency (GFCE), 68.95±5.161; protein intake (PI), 12975.88±306.11g, protein efficiency ratio (PER) 1.98±0.11; and nitrogen metabolism (NM) 10782.98±314.12g/100g were recorded in diet C 66. However, growth and nutrient utilization variables varied significantly (p<0.05) within the treatment period. The mean final weight, FCR and PER of the fish fed trial diets were not significantly different (p>0.05) from the control value. Dietary WCRM at 100% inclusion produced similar results in the mean weight gain (MWG), mean daily weight gain (MDWG), Gross Feed Conversion Efficiency (GFCE), Protein Intake (PI), and survival as the control diet. It could therefore be concluded that WCRM can replace maize in the diet of hybrid catfish effectively up to 100% with the optimal performance at 66% level of inclusion. Fish farmers can therefore explore the use of WCRM as an alternative to maize meal in hybrid catfish diet with better profit margins.

Growth and Microbial Indices in African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus)Larvae Fed Formulated and Commercial Diets

“…However, the parameters were within the appropriate ranges for the catfish culture. Other studies also found and recommend that every growth rate is related to the water quality of the rearing containers (Adeniji and Ovie, 1990;Owhonda et al, 2007;Abu et al, 2010). This study result shows the larvae during first feeding days have good condition, and applying different type of feeds doesn't influence water quality.…”

The Use of Cassava, Sweet Potato and Cocoyam, and Their By-Products by Non – Ruminants

“…Studies on the use of cassava meal in fish feed [48 -50] indicate that cassava can replace the conventional energy feed ingredients such as maize, broken rice and sorghum, which are co mmon ly used in animal d iet in most parts of Africa [51]. Cassava has been successfully used to replace maize in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings -50% replacement [3]; C. garieipinus advanced fry [52] and hybrid catfish (Hetero X Clarias) -66% rep lacement [53]. Inclusion of whole cassava root meal in the diet of fish enhanced growth and survival.…”

Influence of including maize offal in diets on growth, carcass composition and economics of Clarias gariepinus

“…Talthawan et al [28] pointed out that amylopectin is responsible for easy digestion in cassava. For instance, Olurin et al [8] has substituted up to 50 % of corn with cassava starch in fingerlings; Olukunle [30]) replaced corn starch with sweet potato peels and whole root in fry Clarias species while Abu et al [16] was able to replace corn starch with cassava starch up to 66 % with favourable results.…”

“…This is coupled to the fact that its production is dwindling [3]. Several attempts have been made to replace or supplement the maize component of fish feed with cheaper non-conventional energy sources;; [2,3,5,6,11,16,17]; Maize offal is component after the starch concentrate. In many occasions, the offal is regarded as a waste component of the maize.…”