Supplementing different levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae diets on survival and some growth parameters in laboratory reared Heteroclarias juveniles

Abstract

An eight weeks feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the influence of supplementing different levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in diets on survival rates and some growth parameters of Heteroclarias juveniles under laboratory conditions. S. cerevisiae was included in the diets at 4 levels of 0.00 (control: Aquamax), 5.00, 10.00 and 15.00% with 3 replicates each. Each of the experimental tanks was filled with 25 litres of borehole water and stocked with 30 randomly selected juveniles of Heteroclarias. The growth and physicochemical parameters were determined weekly, while survival rates were monitored daily using standard experimental procedures. Exchange of water was done twice a week during the study period. The juveniles were fed to satiation daily in the morning and evening. The proximate analysis of S.cerevisiae supplemented diets fed to Heteroclarias juveniles were higher in moisture composition. The results of the mean total length and standard length showed that there were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the juveniles fed the control diet and the S. cerevisiae diets. However, mean body weight were influenced (p< 0.05) with juveniles fed 10 % S. cerevisiae diet having better body weight (31.36±4.13g) compared to the other treatments. The survival rate (97%) of Heteroclarias juveniles fed with 5% S. cerevisiae level was significantly (p< 0.05) highest. Most of the physicochemical parameters of cultured water of Heteroclarias juveniles fed with all the diets were not affected (p>0.05); except the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) that was significantly (p<0.05) different. Moisture ash, crude protein and oil extract were all significantly (p<0.05) affected having lower ash and crude protein contents (2.15±0.01 and 45.00±0.58) respectively. The inclusion of 10% S. cerevisiae in the diet of Heteroclarias juveniles improved growth performance.