JAFE Vol.  10(1): 28-37, 2023

Growth Performance and Economic Implication of Lablab purpureus Inclusion in Heterobranchus bidorsalis Fingerlings Diet

Difference Akpovire AKPOTOR, Godwin Ogheneakpobor IKPINIMA, Ovie Kingsley AWHEFEADA and Michael Chukwuemeka UMEHAI

The study evaluated the growth response and economic implications of feeding Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings with practical diets in which soybean meal was substituted with Lablab purpureus seed meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% (% = g.100g^-1 diet) levels respectively. One hundred and twenty-six (126) fingerlings weighing 12.25g on the average were obtained from a private fish hatchery in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria. They were randomly distributed into and reared in 18 plastic aquaria of 37 litres capacity in triplicates indoors for 10 weeks. Each aquarium contained 7 fingerlings. Feeding was on the graded lablab seed meal diets (40% crude protein) twice daily at 9.00 and 16.00 hours to satiation. Feed and protein intake showed no significant differences (p<0.05) across all test levels. Mean weight gain, relative weight gain and specific growth rate were better in the control diet and statistically different (p<0.05) from all levels of lablab inclusion. Survival was high (100 ± 0.00) and statistically uniform (p<0.05) in the control, 10 % and 30 % but significantly dropped at 40 % and 50 % inclusion. The control diet gave the least incidence cost (N308.88). Its profit index and gross profit per kilogram of fish were also better (2.27 and N391.12 respectively). Toasted L. purpureus seed meal diet resulted in decrease in growth performance, profit index and gross profit for H. bidorsalis.

Keywords:

Depressed growth, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Lablab purpureus, Profit index, toasting

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