Comparative study on the efficiency of locust bean and imported feed on the growth of african catfish clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

Locally prepared feed and coppens feed (imported) were used to feed Clarias gariepinus juveniles, of mean weight 19.4g – 20.5g was evaluated for 8 weeks. Three experimental diets were formulated at 0% (control), 25% and 50% inclusion levels of locust bean treatment, while the coppens was bought directly from the market. Eighty juvenile C. gariepinus were used for the experiment. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano in 25-litre plastic containers. Randomization of 10 fishes per container was used in selecting the samples in order to determine the growth performance. The fish were fed twice daily (8.00am – 6.30pm) at 10% body weight. Their final weight and standard length were recorded. Also temperature, pH, dissolve oxygen and mortality rates were recorded weekly. The result showed that the fish fed imported coppens feed gave the best mean body weight gain, mean standard length gain, specific growth rate and no mortality occurred. While the fish fed 50% locust bean treatment also showed increments in mean body weight gain, mean standard length, specific growth rate and 20% mortality rate. There was also growth performance in 0% (control), while those fed with 25% locust bean treatment gave the least growth performance. There was significant difference between all the experimental diets (P > 0.05). The study demonstrated that locust bean meal can be included in diets of C. gariepinus at inclusion levels of up to 50% in addition to coppens feed. Therefore, it was recommended that locust bean meal could be used partially to replace the expensive and imported fish feed.