Growth Performance and Body Composition of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) Fed Graded Levels of Detoxified Jatropha curcas Meal

Abstract

Protein source is the single most expensive ingredient in feed production. The limitation of this important resource necessitated the need for sourcing for alternative and non-competing protein source especially from Jatropha curcas plants. This research thus, investigated the growth performance, survival and body compositions of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (4.30±0.01g) fed five diets containing 40% crude protein and varying inclusion levels of detoxified Jatropha curcas meal (DJCM) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement for fishmeal (FM). The results obtained indicated significant differences (P<0.05) for the growth parameters, survival and biological values evaluated. Diet 1 (0% DJCM and 100%FM) gave the best growth parameters in terms of Mean weight gain (10.53±1.95), Food Conversion Ratio (2.73±0.55), Specific Growth Rate (2.19±0.23) and survival rate (73.33±10.41) followed by diet 2 (25%DJCM and 75%FM) with MWG (0.88±0.33), FCR (12.00±4.67), SGR (0.33±0.11) and survival rate (56.67±16.07). The growth performances and survival rate became decreased with increment in the inclusion levels of detoxified Jatropha curcas meal. It can be concluded that detoxified Jatropha curcas meal can be included in the diet of Clarias gariepinus up to 25% beyond which there is detrimental effect on fish growth.