EFFICACY OF DIETARY FEEDING STIMULANTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF Clarias gariepinus JUVENILES

Abstract

The efficacy of Almond Leaves (AL) extracts and Vitamin C (VIT C) as an ingredient in the diet of Clarias gariepinus of mean weight (4.86±0.02g) was evaluated over a 56-day rearing period. Five experimental diets: Control (0%), AL2 (1%), AL3 (2%), VITC4 (250mg/kg), and (VITC+AL) 5 were formulated and replicated twice at 45% crude protein. Weight gain (WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Protein Productive Value (PPV), and Nitrogen Metabolism (NM) were measured. Data were
analyzed using ANOVA at P = 0.05. Results showed that the fish on VIT C and AL extracts based diets had higher values in WG, SGR, FCR, PPV, and NM and they were significantly difference (p<0.05) than those on control diet. The results suggest that inclusion of VIT C and AL leaves extracts in fish diets for two months could positively affect growth of C. gariepinus juveniles in organic and sustainable aquaculture.