Growth Response and Haematological Indices of Hybrid Catfish Fingerlings Fed Varying Inclusion Levels of Fermented Sword Bean (Canavalia Gladiata) Seed Meal in a Concrete Tank

Abstract

This study investigates the use of fermented Canavalia gladiata seed meal (FCGSM) in practical diets of hybrid catfish – Hetero-clarias. A total of 300 fish (initial mean weight 1.64 - 1.67g) were fed five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets formulated at 40% crude protein and 9.5% lipid containing different graded levels of FCGM to replace Clupeid (Sierrathrissa leonensis) fishmeal. for 70 days. Diets were designated as D1 (0% inclusion), D2 (15% inclusion), D3 (25% inclusion), D4 (35% inclusion) and D5 (45% inclusion). 20 fish per hapa were accommodated in fifteen net hapa (0.5×0.5×1m) suspended in two outdoor concrete ponds (8mx5mx1.5m) with the aid of kuralon twine tied to plastic poles, the concrete ponds were filled to 5/6 of its volume (40m3) with filtered and dechlorinated tap water. The fish were fed manually at 5% body weight three times daily. The results showed that the fish fed Fish fed D4 diet had the highest significant (P<0.05) values in all growth parameters measured while, those fed with D5 had the lowest value but was not significantly (P>0.05) different from those fed D1, D2 and D3. There was no significant different in the percentage survival among all the fish fed the experimental diets. The feed utilization followed the same pattern as the growth parameters. The proximate composition results revealed that carcass lipid increased with the proportional increase in the inclusion level of the FCGM in the diet. It could be concluded that 35% inclusion of FCGM meals improved growth performance and nutrient utilization of hybrid catfish without any adverse effect on their health status, suggesting that FCGM can be could be a suitable ingredient in the diet of hybrid catfish.