HEALTH IMPLICATION, SURVIVAL AND ORGAN WEIGHT CHANGES OF Clarias gariepinus JUVENILES FED DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS OF GELATIN

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Gelatin (GT) on health implications, survival and organ weight changes of C. gariepinus juveniles for eight (8) weeks. Seven (7) experimental diets of 40% crude protein were formulated and gelatin was included at different graded levels (0%, 1%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, 6%, and 7.5%) and was denoted as Control - GT7 respectively. Clarias gariepinus (210) juveniles were randomly distributed in duplicate of 7 experimental tanks at a stocking density of 15 fish per treatment and were fed at 3% body weight. Weight gain, survival rate, and condition factor were determined. The organ weight changes (liver, intestine, muscle, spleen, kidney, gill and heart) were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at P=0.05. The result shows that fish-fed experimental diets supplemented with gelatin significantly perform better than the control group in weight gain, and condition factors. The conditions factor of the treated groups was better than the control and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the dietary groups. The organ weight gain of the treated groups was higher than the control group. This shows that fish fed with diets supplemented with gelatin perform better and improve weight gain, condition factors, and organ weight changes of C. gariepinus juveniles