Nutrient evaluation and haematological indices of hybrid catfish fingerlings fed graded levels of geminated sword beans (Canavalia gladiata) seed meal

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth response, nutrient utilization and body composition of hybrid catfish fingerlings fed graded levels of germinated sword bean seed meal for 56 days. 0% lipid with 0-45% inclusion of the GCGM at different graded levels to replace Clupeid fishmeal. The diets were designated as D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. The concrete tanks were filled to 5/6 of their volume with filtered and dechlorinated tap water, and 20 fish with an initial average weight of 2.25±0.02g. Water temperature and other water quality parameters were monitored daily. The results at the end of the feeding trial showed that fish fed D4 had significantly greater growth parameter values: final body weight and percentage weight gain, while fish fed D5, had the lowest value in all the growth parameter indices measured. However, it was not significantly different from those of fish fed D1, D2 and D3. There was no significant difference in the percentage of survival among all fish fed the experimental diets. Fish fed D4 also had a higher and significant value in all the nutrient utilization parameter measures: The total feed intake, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention. Fish fed D5 had the lowest nutrient utilization value and was significantly lower than those of fish fed D1, D2 and D3. The proximate composition results revealed that carcass lipids increased with a proportional increase in the inclusion level of the GSBM meals in the diet. It could be concluded that 35% inclusion of GSBM meal improved growth performance and nutrient utilization of hybrid catfish without any adverse effects on their health status, suggesting that the GSBM meal could be a suitable ingredient in the diet of hybrid catfish.