- Journal of Limnology and Freshwater Fisheries Research
- Vol: 3 Issue: 3
- Dietary Replacement Effects of Maize with Graded Levels of Melon Shell on Growth Performance of Clar...
Dietary Replacement Effects of Maize with Graded Levels of Melon Shell on Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings (Burchell, 1822)
Authors : Stanley Iheanacho, Shedrack Nworu, Emmanuel Ogueji, Abubakar Yaji, Christian Mbah, Emmanuel Okafor
Pages : 153-158
Doi:10.17216/limnofish.324412
View : 18 | Download : 7
Publication Date : 2017-12-29
Article Type : Research
Abstract :A 60-day study was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of replacement of maize with graded levels of melon shell meal (MSM) on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerling. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated. MSM was added to the diet to replace maize at graded levels; 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Total of 150 fish (3.40±0.05g) were randomly assigned to the five treatment diets. Each treatment contained 10 fish per tank and each treatment was triplicated in a completely randomised design (CRD). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight in equal proportions. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) for measured growth parameters. Fish fed diet containing 100% MSM had the highest mean weight gain (70.70±4.62g), specific growth rate ( SGR ) (5.06±0.10%), best feed conversion ratio ( FCR ) (0.54±0.04%) and protein efficiency ratio ( PER ) (1.68±0.11%) compared to other treatments and the control while fish fed 25% MSM had the poorest values for MWG (39.88±4.37g), SGR (4.20±0.16), FCR (0.60±0.02) and PER (0.95±0.11). MSM inclusion in diet of C. gariepinus up to 100% enhanced growth.Keywords : Maize, Growth, Melon-shell, Replacement, C. gariepinus