Effect of substitution of fishmeal with lizard meal on growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

Abstract

The effect of replacing fishmeal with lizard meal in the diet of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with initial mean weight of 1.2±0.05g was studied for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, results revealed that the control diet (100% fishmeal) gave the highest percentage weight gain of 301.03% and was significantly different (P<0.05) from other diets. Diet E (100% lizard meal) followed with a percentage weight gain of 222.13%. Diets B (25% lizard meal) and C (50% lizard meal) were not significantly different (P>0.05) in weight gain having 215.70% and 212.60% respectively. Djet D (75% lizard meal) was significantly different (P<0.05) from all other diets with weight increase of 176.96%. This poor growth response may have been due to protein toxication. Other growth indices appeared to follow similar trend with the weight values. Results of water quality parameters investigated· showed mean weekly temperature to be 21.5±0.7°C, pH 7.3±0.05, free carbon dioxide 3.8±0.02mg/l and dissolved oxygen 9.2±0.4mg/l. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that replacing fishmeal with 100% lizard meal may be beneficial to Clarias gariepinus.

Key Words: Substitution, fishmeal, lizard meal, growth, catfish.