HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus Burchel, 1822) FED AFRICAN STAR APPLE KERNEL DIETS

Abstract

Effect of feeding African Star Apple Kernel (Chrysophyllum africanum) based diets on haematological characteristics of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) for 8 weeks was studied. One hundred and thirty five African catfish fingerlings (mean weight= 2.8g) were allotted to three diets (CP-40%) in which African Star Apple Kernel meal substituted maize at 0%, 50% and 100% dietary levels respectively and fed at 5% biomass daily. Other water quality parameters were maintained throughout the duration of the study. Blood samples were collected from fish in replicates and analyzed for haematological parameters Result on blood analyses showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the values of haemoglobin, also, red blood cell and packed cell volume of the trial fish were low compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the leucocytes count among the groups.