Nutrient Utilization and Haematological Indices of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Fed Varying Inclusion Levels of Fermented Flamboyant (Delonix regia) Seed Meal in Concrete Tanks

Abstract

This study investigates the nutrient utilization and hematological indices of African cat fish Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed fermented flamboyant (Deloxi regia) seed meal (FFSM). Fish with mean initial weight of 1.1±0.1 g were fed four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets formulated at 40% crude protein and 9.5% lipid containing different levels of inclusion of FFSM and designated as D1 (0% inclusion), D2 (10% inclusion), D3 (20% inclusion) D4 (30% inclusion) for 56 days. Twenty fish per hapa were accommodated in twelve net hapa (0.5×0.5×1m) suspended in two outdoor concrete ponds (8×5×1.5 m) with the aid of kuralon twine tied to plastic poles. The concrete ponds were filled to 5/6 of its volume (40 m3) with filtered and dechlorinated tap water. The fish were fed at 5% body weight three times daily. The results showed that fish fed D4 had the highest significant value in the Total Feed Intake (TFI) although not significantly (p>0.05) different from D1 and D2. Fish fed D3 had a higher feed utilization, hence, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those fed D1, D2 and D4 fed fish. There was no significant difference in the hematological indices among all the fish fed the experimental diets. In conclusion, inclusion of FFSM up to 30% in the diet of Clarias gariepinus is suitable and have no negative effect on the nutrient utilization and hematological indices of the fish fed experimental diets. Hence FFSM can be a potential ingredient for aqua feed industry.